The Heights Technical College has officially opened, unveiling state-of-the art facilities where students can learn hands-on skills as they start their pathway to secure, well-paid jobs.

There are over 130 enrolled students who are pursuing training in four specialist in-demand industry fields:

• Advanced manufacturing and engineering – leading to careers such as fabricators, mechanical engineers, boilermakers, engineers
• Aero skills – aircraft maintenance technicians
• Building and Construction – plumbers, builders, electricians
• Early Childhood and Education – early childhood workers, early childhood educators.

These streams have been developed in conjunction with key employee partners including Boeing, ASC, BAE Systems, Master Builders Association, Bluescope Steel, Guardian, and Goodstart Early Learning – who are guaranteeing jobs for Technical College graduates.

The Heights Technical College is the third of five technical colleges opening in South Australia at a total cost of $208.8 million. It is co-located at The Heights School in Modbury Heights – providing the north-east with the opportunity to get the best hands-on training opportunities for a great career.

The Port Augusta Technical College and Findon Technical College are both open, while the other two, Tonsley Technical College and Limestone Coast Technical College, will open in just weeks.

In a nation-leading initiative, The Heights Technical College students can also complete the first year of a degree with Flinders University while in year 12 in the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, and Early Childhood and Education industry training programs.

The Heights School Principal Alina Page said the technical college “will reshape the future for our students by giving them clear, credible pathways into skilled employment and further study”.

“It’s about preparing young people not just for school completion, but for the careers and industries of the future,” she said.

The two-storey technical college includes purpose-built facilities for the four industry training programs that mimic workplace environments. It includes workshops for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, Building and Construction, and Aeroskills, as well as workshop learning spaces for Early Childhood and Education.

The industry co-creation room at The Heights Technical College includes Igloo immersive technology, providing a 270-degree wrap-around projection. The screen covers three walls, creating an immersive experience for students to show them what it is like in the workplace such as working at the shipyards or fixing the underside of an aircraft. Students are viewing the content together and able to collaborate when participating in Igloo.

Other technologies include welding simulators, plasma cutters, 3D printers and an IT suite with CAD/CAM and industry standard equipment.