blueprint
australian industry trade college
Industry-driven schooling comes to Brisbane Industry leaders are thrilled that a new AITC campus, dedicated to producing high calibre, driven apprentices, is opening its doors in Brisbane in January. CEO Mark Hands, who is also a Brisbane Grammar School old boy, says it’s the first of its kind for Greater Brisbane. The Spring Hill campus will start the 2022 school year with a small Year 10 cohort to help young people to find their purpose and proudly pursue a pathway in industry. “Our offering is driven by industry, a word that is purposefully placed in the school’s name,” said Mr Hands. “The AITC’s unique learning model provides industry with work-ready, reliable apprentices and enables young people to find what fits and love what they do, all whilst completing high school. “We have young people pursuing pathways in construction, manufacturing, aviation, health, education, transport, hair and beauty, commercial cookery and more. “We’re for those who want to learn in the classroom, within workplaces and on
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the job, through work experience and a school-based apprenticeship,” said Mr Hands.
“The passion, pride, and enthusiasm of AITC students is demonstrable whenever they are on site,” Mr Hacking added.
The heavy vehicle industry, like many other sectors in the Australian economy, is suffering from a significant skills shortage. This shortage led the Heavy Vehicle Industry Association (HVIA) to seek new partners like the AITC, to open up a pipeline of talent.
A typical school term at the newest AITC campus will consist of 5 weeks in the classroom and 5-7 weeks out in industry in work experience and school-based apprenticeships or traineeships, learning firsthand about the world of work. Most schools allow their students out to work one day a week.
“HVIA is proud to partner with the AITC to connect interested students in a trade pathway, and what we hope will turn into a rewarding, fulfilling career in the heavy vehicle industry,” shared HVIA CEO, Todd Hacking. Mr Hacking says it is an opportune time for the AITC to open a Brisbane campus and that the heavy vehicle industry “looks forward to continuing our partnership to ensure we provide students with as many opportunities as possible.”
It has been encouraging to see a strong number of enrolment enquiries from Brisbane families, mirroring industry’s need for a school that connects young people with opportunities in industry and industry with great young people. The campus community – families, employees and industry – celebrated the launch of the new campus at an event held in early December at Newstead Brewery.
