The first intake of 16 students from Southern River College and Clontarf Academy was enrolled on 13 March at the Ertech Construction Academy.
The Ertech Construction Academy is an initiative planned and underwritten by Ertech Pty Ltd with input and assistance from other industry and education leaders. Ertech recognises the urgent need to train young people to fill the increasing vacancies for skilled operators in the construction industry in Western Australia.
The Academy will provide students enrolled in Year 11 and 12 the opportunity to achieve a nationally recognised Certificate I Resource and Infrastructure Operations qualification through a combination of flexible training and workplace experience 2 days per week whilst still attending high school and achieving their WA Certificate of Education. It also gives students pathways to further study and entry into careers where they can progress onto Certificate III.
This plan is based on providing a combination of organised training and workplace experience. The Academy has invited participation of students from The Clontarf Foundation thereby providing opportunities for indigenous participation in skills training. The Clontarf Foundation is a "not for profit" organisation incorporated in Western Australia. Their aim is to help improve the health, employment, education and life skills of Australia’s teenaged male Indigenous population.
Clontarf achieves its outcomes using Australian Rules Football. Football Academies are established in partnership with mainstream schools and young Indigenous men between the ages of 13 and 18 are encouraged to enroll in these. Members of a Clontarf Academy are provided with high quality coaching, specialist physical conditioning, health education and mentoring in life skills while the school caters for their educational needs.
Despite the fact that Clontarf only operates in 1% of Western Australia’s schools, almost 25% of the State’s indigenous male Year 12 students are enrolled in it’s programs.
All activities at the Ertech Construction Academy are supervised by staff from Swan TAFE and Ertech. A Swan TAFE lecturer will conduct the formal class work one day per week.
The Academy is located on land provided free of charge by Stockland WA (Development) Pty Ltd. Sufficient land is available to enable simulated construction site conditions for training students in all aspects of the safe operation of large construction plant. Plant has been provided by WesTrac.
Promotion of the Academy, its aims and training methods will initially target schools in the immediate vicinity. It is anticipated that the reputation of graduates will result in a wider catchment area and the Academy will grow to take up the additional student applicants. It is planned to have a second intake of students for 2009.
