The college is a specialist school providing year 11 and 12 education in partnership with the students existing high school while maintaining a specific focus on traditional trade training.

Local heavy industry business, Action Engineering has supported the concept of the college by employing two new part-time apprentices.

Aharon Moreton and Luke Jaritz recently started their Australian school based apprenticeships at Action Engineering as a mechanical apprentice fitter and turner and boilermaker respectively.

Both students will continue to complete year 12 with the college and existing school in 2007 while working part-time with their employer, at which time they will complete the rest of their trade working full-time from 2008.

"Our students have the best of both worlds by completing their education and starting their trade while still at school," careers and industry adviser Geoff Rosewarne said

The college supports students through both academic and trade training with mentoring support from the college staff along the way.

Action Engineering general manager Greg Clothier said that the shortage of qualified workers in the region is now a huge problem.

"We made the decision to train our own employee's some four years ago," he said.

"We see the college as a perfect fit to our apprenticeship program giving more opportunities to local youth like Aharon and Luke.

"These apprentices will also have the advantage of completing their South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) while beginning their selected trade."

The Australian Technical College Spencer Gulf and Outback Whyalla campus is located at University of South Australia on Nicolson Avenue.

Anyone wanting to find out more about the college can call 1300 783 440.

IMAGE CAPTION:

Fitter and turner ... Welcoming Australian Technical College Spencer Gulf and Outback campus student Aharon Moreton (centre) into his new role were (left) Action Engineering general manager Greg Clothier and (right) Australian Technical College careers adviser Geoff Rosewarne.