South Australia’s Technical Colleges support the future development of ECEC workers

South Australia’s technical colleges are now accepting enrolments, with a number of the new learning facilities having a focus on building the early childhood education and care (ECEC) workforce.

Billed as “an exciting pathway from learning to earning,” the five cutting-edge technical colleges have been created thanks to a $208.8 million commitment from the South Australian government, with each site designed to replicate the look, feel and flow of industry/sector workplace environments within a state-of-the-art learning facility.

Findon Technical College opened earlier this year, and work is well underway on the other four sites. Port Augusta is set to open its doors in 2025, with The Heights, Tonsley and Mt Gambier to welcome students in 2026.

What are technical colleges? 

The new technical colleges are ‘trade schools’ reimagined to provide a next gen pathway from school to work. 

They offer students in years 10 to 12 a unique, tailored curriculum that connects them directly with employers and provides an exciting, hands-on route into their chosen sector or industry.

The colleges support students in years 10 to 12 to complete their SACE (high school completion certificate) while undertaking vocational education and training (VET) in brand new, specialist facilities. 

Attendance costs the same (or less) than public high schools, and each college has several speciality programs it runs with sector and industry partners, with the ultimate aim of students leaving college and walking into work in areas of high demand, including ECEC. 

The colleges have no catchment area, meaning students can attend the location which is offering their specialisation of choice, rather than being restricted to a certain area.

Findon Technical College

Opened earlier this year, Findon Technical College is co-located with Findon High School and  provides training programs in:

• Early childhood and education: for careers as early childhood educators, leaders and teachers.
• Advanced manufacturing and engineering: for careers in defence, engineering and manufacturing;
• Health and social support: for careers in aged care, nursing and allied health;

In the ECEC space Findon Technical College has partnered with Goodstart Early Learning and Precious Cargo to ensure students have an experience which is aligned with the contemporary expectations of the ECEC sector.

Mount Gambier Technical College

Set to open in 2026, Mount Gambier Technical College will be built on the Education, Training and Research precinct on Wireless Road and will provide sector and industry training programs in:

• Early childhood and education: for careers as early childhood educators, leaders and teachers.
• Agri-tech: for careers in forestry, agriculture and manufacturing using the latest technology;
• Health and social support: for careers in aged care, nursing and allied health;
• Multi-trades: for careers as carpenters, plumbers, builders, electricians and boilermakers.

To create and deliver its training programs, the college will work with key regional employer partners and TAFE SA as the main registered training organisation (RTO). 

It will support public students from across the Limestone Coast region and be open to students from the private school sector, with short stay accommodation available for about 40 students at a time.

The Heights Technical College

Co-located and run in conjunction with The Heights School, The Heights Technical College will open in 2026. 

The Heights Technical College will provide sector and industry training programs in:

• Early childhood and education: for careers as early childhood educators, leaders and teachers.
• Aero skills: for careers as aircraft maintenance technicians in defence and civil aviation;
• Advanced manufacturing and engineering: for careers in defence, engineering and manufacturing;
• Building and construction: for careers in the trades in the building and construction industry; 

The college will soon announce the employer partners and registered training organisations (RTOs) it will work with.

Registrations of interest for enrolling in any of the five technical colleges can be made online here.

This story originally appeared on The Post – a media partnership between the Government of South Australia and Solstice Media to inform young South Australians about the policies that underpin issues affecting their lives.