The $38.5 million technical college under construction in Mount Gambier has been formally announced as the Limestone Coast Technical College - with long-serving educator Lynette Corletto as Principal.

Students will attend the technical college part time, while remaining enrolled in their school. There will be accommodation available that includes 44 beds to ensure all students can stay and learn during their training. The courses will be open to students from all sectors across the whole of the Limestone Coast region.

The technical colleges have been instrumental in establishing relationships with industry, ready for students to take on apprenticeships.

This latest development comes as the first students from the very first technical college, Findon Technical College, officially begin their careers working for BAE Systems Australia at the Osborne Naval Shipyard. The Findon students were among an intake of new apprentices to sign on as the next generation of shipbuilders at BAE.

The four key study streams for the Limestone Coast Technical College were selected through industry consultation with future economic opportunities for the Limestone Coast in mind, and will include:

• Agri-tech – for careers in forestry, agriculture and manufacturing using the latest technology
• Multi-trades – for careers as plumbers, carpenter and electricians
• Early Childhood and Education – for careers as Early Childhood workers, educators and teachers
• Health and Social Support – for careers in aged care and into nursing, allied health.

These specialisations will prepare students for the jobs available now and into the future, with a focus on supporting key local industries in the region.

Lynette Corletto, an educator with more than 20 years’ experience across a range of contexts from early childhood to secondary education, has been appointed as the technical college’s principal and has started in the role this term.

Limestone Coast Technical College Principal Lynette Corletto said, this is an exciting project, that I’m proud to be involved with.

“After decades of working in the southeast region across both primary and secondary education, I see this as an important opportunity to support young people in our region to access training that will set them up to transition successfully into employment opportunities available within our local industries”.

“I look forward to delivering on this shared vision for the Limestone Coast region, driving collaboration and relationships to create immersive opportunities that equip students for their chosen pathway”, said Ms Corletto.

Kennett is the construction company undertaking the build, which is set to be finished this year – ready to open for students in February 2026.

Kennett Builders General Manager Anthony Carbone said, as the leader of a 111-year-old South Australian commercial construction company with a proven track record of personally delivering complex, high-value, projects worth billions of dollars, I began my career as a tradesperson supported by a practical education at TAFE.

“TAFE continues to be a cornerstone of workforce development in our state, and we welcome the government's investment in this essential institution, which plays a vital role in building South Australia's future”, Mr Carbone said.

The site’s first employer partner has also been announced – Group Training Employment (GTE), a not-for-profit training organisation based in Mount Gambier and Naracoorte.

The partnership will help build clear employment pathways for students through on-the-job learning opportunities, while also informing the training programs to develop the technical skills and capabilities needed to transition to employment and succeed in the workplace.

This is part of a $208 million State Government commitment to build five technical colleges, 3 metro and 2 regional, to provide a specialist secondary option that equips students with workplace skills needed in areas of high demand. The first of those technical colleges, Findon, opened in Adelaide in 2024, with enrolments now open for all five colleges.