Trade Training Centre

The state of the art Trade Training Centre was constructed using funds supplied under a Commonwealth Government initiative and in collaboration with Trinity College and Mercedes College.  The objective was to build an industry-inspired authentic training facility to provide students with actual workshop experience, using machinery commonly used in both the Engineering and Woodworking industries to Industry standards.  In addition, it is possible for students to study and complete Industry standard trade certificates up to nationally recognised Certificate II. After many delays, the Clontarf Trade Training Centre was ready just in time for the start of the 2013 school year.

The centre caters for five distinct subject areas -: Engineering, Automotive Studies, Traineeship co-ordination, Driver Education and Lower School Manual Arts. All staff members involved are enthusiastically powering their way through a very busy time of the year, with many new systems and procedures being developed and implemented. In Addition, we are fitting out our brand new, industry sponsored Automotive Servicing Workshop, which will be ready for use in 2016. Clontarf Students are all extremely interested in the new centre and many can’t wait to have the chance to take one of the courses on offer. We have just completed our third year of operation and have witnessed many pleasing results from our students.  They have achieved qualifications at the Certificate II level, as well as acquiring skills which will assist in their future employment in a variety of industries.

The students look resplendent in their new work outfits and wear them proudly during the twice weekly day-long practical workshop sessions.  The work wear provides essential protection as well as lending an authenticity to the practical activities. As the year went by each student was thrilled to learn new techniques and skills which will be of use to them throughout their lives. Many of the students will go on to traineeships and apprenticeships and become tradesmen in their own right and the experiences and tuition they have had in an authentic workshop environment is invaluable.

Visitors to the Trade Training Centre are filled with admiration for the facility making comments such as -: “I have seen many Trade Training Centres and this is the best I have seen”; and “This is a very well equipped workshop”.

Courses on offer for 2017 are -:

• Junior School Woodwork
• Year 10 A composite Metalwork, Woodwork and Basic Automotive introductory course
• Certificate II in Automotive Servicing.
• Certificate II in Engineering Pathways MEM20413

The staff and students of The Clontarf Trade Training Centre look forward to a bright and productive learning experience in 2017 and beyond.

Mr Bruce Collett

Engineering Department.