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Year 12 Kane Materne Wins mteSA Award

Congratulations to Year 12 student Kane Materne, WINNER of the Murraylands Training and Employment (mteSA) 2023 School Based Apprentice of the Year Award.

Kane was recognised for his outstanding commitment to his trade learning and career at mteSA’s annual Employee Awards held on Friday night, 8 September.

Kane is in his second year as a school-based carpentry apprentice employed by mteSA and hosted by Saxony Building. He is a valuable team member learning all skills from demolition works, concreting, 1st fix and 2nd fix carpentry (both steel frame and timber), roofing, wall cladding, hanging plasterboard and in some cases even tiling.

Congratulations Kane on your award!

Delegates Visit from Republic of Korea

On Thursday 31 August, the College had the privilege of hosting delegates from the Republic of Korea who were keen to learn about our trade-focused College, in particular our training programs and apprenticeship model.

It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase our College and provide a dialogue around vocational education, skill-based learning, and diverse career pathways.

Thank you to Cho, CEO of the International Institute of Employment and Development, under the Korean Ministry of Labour, Kim, Associate Research Fellow, Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training (KRIVET), under the Korean Ministry of Education and LEE, Director, Human Resource Development Korea (HRDK).

Road Awareness and Changing Behaviours

Year 11 students were involved in a valuable Road Awareness Program (RAP) presented by the Metropolitan Fire Service.

Students heard from MFS Fireman Duane Schultz on his experiences working in road crash rescue, and from serious crash survivor Daniel Woolley, who was left with lifelong injuries and disabilities as a result.

The aim of the presentation is to assist students in evaluating their attitudes and behaviours as drivers and road users, reduce the number of lives lost on our roads to zero, and keeping our mates and family safe.

Students assessed what type of driver/road user they were prior to the RAP presentation, and what they intend to be moving forward.

Young entrepreneur turns passion into a career

Year 10 student Indiana Tamke has created her own career path as a young person passionate about the hair and beauty industry.

A qualified lash technician and an entrepreneur with a hair braiding business and pamper parties for kids, this talented teen has already been acknowledged by industry for her skills and ambitions. Recognised in the Top 10 ‘Girls who Soar’ 2022 SA Woman Australia Awards, receiving an encouragement award for her achievements and aspirations.

Indiana created her first side hustle at 13 years of age, selling relishes and jams at local markets. Adding hair braiding to her repertoire, as a young dancer inspired to braid her own hair, she is now a hair artist crafting colourful braids and styles for all to enjoy.

“I started braiding around 14 and got to do the Adelaide and Gawler Shows. Last year I then introduced colours in braiding, and it’s just kicked off from there.”

Her business Upstyle – Hair, Lash, Beauty was created to provide a service that was affordable and to “make people feel good about themselves”.

“I do it all myself… I get my lashes done and do my hair, and I just wanted to do if for other people.”

“I love making everyone feel very confident and excited when they come over and it’s a very family-friendly environment where you can bring your kids.”

Indiana’s skills and talents caught the eye of Heart ‘n’ Soul Hair Studio at a recent week of work experience in the Gawler business.

“I did work experience and the manager was talking to me in the colour room about an apprenticeship and I said “yes”. I still wanted to finish my schooling for my SACE and then she offered me a school-based apprenticeship.”

Indiana’s passion and attributes are empowering her to become a future leader in her industry.

“I’m most proud of how far I’ve come in the beauty industry. That I’ve gained my apprenticeship and already started doing what a second-year apprentice would do.”

“If you are thinking about starting a trade career or business, don’t let anyone bring you down about what you love. Follow your dreams!” #sptcstudentstories

An apprentice butcher

Year 10 student Marcus Doman recently commenced a career in Meat Processing (Retail Butcher) as a school-based apprentice with The Butchers Secret – Angle Vale. He was offered an apprenticeship after undertaking work experience with the business.

“I considered a career in Meat Processing because of my passion for cooking and knife skills,” Marcus said.

“It’s been my passion for some time, and I just really enjoyed my work experience at The Butcher’s Secret.”

“Working here, I have learnt how to correctly sharpen a knife, different cutting types, and I mostly enjoy learning how to use the mincer and getting to know everyone.”

With a high demand for people to enter the butchery trade, Marcus wants to encourage others interested in the food industry to consider the vocational pathway.

“I would say do what your heart desires and give it a go! There’s a lot to learn and it isn’t as bad as people say it is.”

National Skills Week, 21-27 August, shines a light on vocational learning and the varied and attractive career opportunities. Through his Certificate III in Meat Processing VET course, Marcus will acquire the skills and knowledge to compliment his on the job-learning. He is earning an income and working towards obtaining a nationally recognised qualification. #sptcstudentstories

Tempting Taste Buds for SACE

Let’s start with a Trio of Dips, followed by a main dish of Lamb Kofta, and finish with a delicious light Semolina Cake, sweetened with a simple sugar syrup.

This menu forms part of Zoe Farmer’s Stage 2 Industry Connections major assessment project. The Year 12 Food & Hospitality student has planned, organised, problem-solved, and produced a well-rounded menu to entice the taste buds.

“My inspiration for the menu came from the Lamb Kofta we made in the Certificate II VET training and so I built everything around the main course adding a Lebanese desert and a trio of dips for an appetiser.” – Zoe

Zoe’s passion for cooking and the skills she has acquired through her Certificate II in Cookery (SIT20421) has allowed her to directly apply her trade skills and knowledge to produce her project and make connections to the food and hospitality industry.

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Cementing a Great Future

Year 11 student Mary Mannion has poured her skills and talents into an engaging and productive week of work experience with Zagari Concrete.

Assisting in a Catholic Education South Australia school site project, Mary learnt new trade skills working alongside a highly experienced team of concrete contractors engaged in the $50 million Nazareth College Third Campus project, constructed by Kennett Builders.

“Mary received comprehensive training on all the stages of decorative concrete and actively participated in the entire process, including boxing up the site with timbers, laying plastic, placing Sl82 Mesh, preparing for concrete pour, trowelling the concrete, and washing it down to expose the aggregate. To work on this commercial site, Mary underwent a thorough induction with the Kennett’s project team.” – Nikola, Zagari Concrete Project Assistant and Estimator.

Mary made quite the impression, with Zagari Concrete offering her casual employment as she continues her secondary education and further develops her work and trade skills.

Thank you to the team at Zagari Concrete for mentoring Mary, providing her with the opportunity to demonstrate her talents, and for supporting the College’s work experience program.

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Industry Immersion

Our aspiring hairdressers and stylists were hands-on at a recent industry immersion day in TAFE SA Elizabeth’s training salon.

Gaining a glimpse of the learning involved in the Certificate II in Salon Assistant, the Year 10 students were pampered by our students currently enrolled in the course and practised their own styling skills.

The immersion day provided our Year 10 students with valuable and meaningful insight into the industry, the practical skills gained, and hair and beauty pathway options.

TAFE SA is the registered training organisation providing VET training for our Hair & Beauty students. Our students keen to embark on a hair and beauty career enrol in a Certificate II in Salon Assistant (SHB20216) or a Certificate II in Retail Cosmetics (SHB20121).

Year 10 Subs In School program

This term, Year 10 students have been involved in the Subs In Schools program with the opportunity to collaborate with industry and to foster their STEM learning.

Mentored each week by P-TECH Australia partners Saab Australia, students received one-on-one industry guidance from mentors within the Saab Graduate Program, who have assisted students in understanding the complexities of underwater design, electronics, and mathematics.

Students have designed and built a Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle (ROV) required to be buoyant and have the capability to move in all directions. The program has introduced students to design, engineering and manufacturing and strengthened their ‘soft skills’, including teamwork, problem solving and communication.

As part of the P-TECH Australia (Pathways in Technology) program, mentoring with key industry partners provides an education-industry collaboration and industry-supported pathways for students to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

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Assembling D Gutters

Gutters are an important fixture on buildings, running along the side of a roof and channelling rainfall to downpipes to protect buildings from water damage. During a recent VET training day with PEER trainer Brittany, our Year 11 Plumbing students were on the hand tools building a 125mm D gutter with a stop-end and a downpipe pop.

Applying basic sheet metal practices, students cut galvanised sheet metal, folded bends, used a sheet metal roller and various hand tools, including groove seaming tools, aviation snips, square nose pliers, rivet guns, and applied a silicone gutter sealant to make sure of no leaks!

Year 11 Plumbing - D-Gutter

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