Enrolments are now open for all five of the Malinauskas Labor Government’s technical colleges, with families encouraged to apply for places in 2025 and 2026.

The Malinauskas Labor Government has committed $208.8 million to build five technical colleges right across the state, with the first one, Findon Technical College, opening earlier this year.

Work is underway on the four other sites, with Port Augusta to open to students next year, and three others – The Heights, Tonsley and Mt Gambier – will open in 2026.

The Premier and Education Minister today surveyed construction work on the Heights Technical College which is co-located with The Heights School and will be ready to open at the start of 2026.

At the site, preliminary work for the car park is complete, the laying of the ground floor concrete slab is underway and the construction of the full structure will begin soon.

The Heights Technical College will offer industry specialisations in:

• Aero skills for careers as aircraft maintenance technicians in defence and civil aviation
• Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering for careers as fabricators, welders and engineers
• Building and construction for careers in the building and construction industry
• Early Childhood and Education for careers as Early Childhood workers and teachers

The Malinauskas Labor Government recognises that the aeroskills sector is important for South Australia and is working with the civil and defence aviation industry to host a symposium later in the year where these skills building programs will be showcased broadly to major industry players.

RAAF Base Edinburgh is set to be home for the nation’s fleet of P8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft, a project which will involve 30 years of sustainment and upgrade work.

The aeroskills sector has limited institutional vocational pathways to entry level roles within the state – an issue that will be addressed through the technical college.

An entry level pathway will be offered including the Certificate II in Aeroskills, leading to apprenticeships post-school that will help build South Australia’s aeroskills sector, which will support defence and civil aviation businesses.

Registrations of interest for enrolling in any of the five technical colleges can be made online at: https://www.technicalcolleges.sa.gov.au/

Quotes

Attributable to Peter Malinauskas

Defence projects such as AUKUS and the Hunter-Class Frigates will create a generation of work for South Australians and tens of billions of dollars for SA's economy.

We want students to know they can start their journey to a career in defence while still at school, getting qualifications that will get them a job when they finish their SACE.

Whether it be at Findon, Tonsley or the Heights, students will be able to undertake high quality training directly informed by future employers, and walk straight out of school into a well-paid, secure career.

I encourage parents to discuss the opportunities available with their children in year 8 and 9 now, so they can secure a spot in one of our five technical colleges.

Attributable to Blair Boyer

These technical colleges represent a new style of learning that connects our young people directly with employers and provides then with an exciting, hands-on pathway to their future career.

Students will walk out of the technical colleges with their SACE certificate and a guaranteed career in industries that are in demand here in South Australia.

We have already seen at Findon Technical College the value in identifying the areas of need, and then partnering with industry to ensure the pathway for these students takes them directly from learning to earning.