What is StPatsTech?

St Patrick’s Technical College is a purpose built, multi-million dollar, trade training school. We offer a trade relevant South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) curriculum, training and apprenticeship pathways for Year 10 to 12 students.

For the first time the College will open its doors to Year 10 students in 2021, offering earlier entry for young people interested in pursuing vocational education and training (VET) options. Adding Year 10 to the College is an opportunity to further promote pride and excellence in trade and vocational skills training of young people in South Australia.

Trade focused curriculum

The College specialises in developing individual programs for students who wish to complete their SACE in conjunction with a School Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship (SBAT).

The SACE curriculum at St Patrick’s Technical College has been developed specifically to support the trades in which we deliver pre-vocational training.

The core subjects of Maths, English and Science are taught in a way that makes them relevant to each specific trade program. These subjects have been developed with direct input from industry.

The College embeds the subject of Workplace Practices across all programs assisting students to develop interview, resume writing, goal setting, teamwork, communication and employability skills.

Trade Programs

St Patrick’s Technical College offers eight pre-apprenticeship VET programs.

Year 11 and 12 students undertake a trade preparation VET course offered as an integral part of the curriculum and contribute towards the achievement of the SACE. Trade preparation VET courses provide pathways into apprenticeships and traineeships through which students gain tertiary qualifications.

Students undertaking VET courses:

• gain practical and employability skills that employers recognises;
• gain credit transfer and/or advanced standing into other training courses;
• make valuable contacts with employers;
• prepare themselves for the world of work;
• can gain a nationally recognised vocational qualification in addition to the SACE.

Click on a trade area below for further information on each of our VET programs:

• Automotive
• Construction
• Electrotechnology
• Food & Hospitality
• Hair & Beauty
• Information Technology
• Metals & Engineering
• Plumbing

A REAL trade experience

Our aim is to create a real workplace experience for students – from the fully equipped commercial kitchen, specialist workshops and live building sites to the seven weeks of Work Experience that form a key component of each course.

The College boasts a significant proportion of teachers that hold trade qualifications and have extensive experience in industry.

The College works in partnership with Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) to deliver our vocational training.

Student support and case management

We place a strong emphasis on the transition from school to work. To support students in this we have an extensive Pastoral Care program and access to a wide range of counselling services.

Apprenticeships and industry partnerships

St Patrick’s Technical College is the School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship (SBAT) specialist.

The team at St Patrick’s Technical College works with an extensive network of employers, industry associations, training providers and group training organisations to source opportunities for our students to start their trade careers through School Based Apprenticeships.

A School Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship (SBAT) is a mix of academic and vocational education, training and employment.

SBATs through St Patrick’s Technical College are unique. Due to the flexible approach the College takes to timetabling, our students can spend up to 42 weeks of their final school year full-time with an employer in paid work. This means finishing the first year of an apprenticeship at the same time as completing the SACE.

Whilst the College can’t guarantee a student an apprenticeship, two out of every three students who has attended St Patrick’s Technical College since 2007 has gained an apprenticeship during their enrolment.

Our Apprenticeship & Traineeship Manager works with students, families and employers to ensure that all aspects of our School Based Apprenticeships are compliant with relevant government guidelines.