For students looking for a direct pathway from high school to an in-demand career, South Australia’s technical colleges could be the answer. Technical colleges provide students in Years 10 to 12 with free industry training programs, including vocational education and training (VET), to complete their SACE. Students gain hands-on training in purpose-built facilities designed to replicate the look and feel of real workplaces.
There are five technical colleges currently open across South Australia: metro colleges in Findon, Tonsley and Modbury Heights, and regional colleges in Mount Gambier and Port Augusta. Colleges offer industry training programs in Building and Construction, Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, Aeroskills, Health and Social Support and more. These programs are designed to meet local employment demands, in collaboration with leading employer partners such as Master Builders SA, BAE Systems and SA Health.
Findon Technical College Lead Luke Northcote says, “We want our young people to engage with industry, gain real-world experience, and develop skills that make them highly sought-after employees.”
This focus on industry learning increases students’ engagement with school and supports them to graduate into their chosen field. Findon Technical College Year 11 Health and Support student Nyalang explains, “The work we do is contextualised to health, rather than separate subjects that don’t connect with my interests and future plans.” She shares that industry immersion, work experience and project-based learning have been the highlights of her time at the college.
Students can also gain a head-start to their career by starting an apprenticeship while completing SACE. Isla, a Year 12 student studying Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering at Findon Technical College, is undertaking an apprenticeship as a mechanical fitter at BAE Systems. She shares, “One of the best things about Findon Technical College is the hands-on learning and real industry connections. We build and create every day, and working with partners like BAE Systems Australia makes our learning real and future focused.”
For students considering their options for 2027, it’s a good time to take a closer look at technical colleges. Upcoming tours and immersion days provide students with a chance to explore the hands-on learning spaces, talk to expert staff, and hear from current students ahead of applying for 2027.
To learn more about technical colleges, including how to apply, visit technicalcolleges.sa.gov.au
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