The Hon Julia Gillard MP
Minister for Education. Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
Minister for Social Inclusion
Deputy Prime Minister
13 November, 2009
Joint Media Release
Darwin Australian Technical College to join Northern Territory Education and Training System
Joint Media Release with the Hon Paul Henderson MLA, Northern Territory Chief Minister.
The Australian and Northern Territory governments today announced that the Australian Technical College (ATC) – Darwin will be integrated into the Northern Territory education and training system.
The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard and Northern Territory Chief Minister and Minister for Education and Training, The Hon Paul Henderson, today welcomed the agreement.
The Australian Government has decided to move funding from the ATC to the trade training model in the Northern Territory.
Ms Gillard said this change will mean more students will benefit from the Territory’s Workready program in schools across the Territory.
The Australian Government has worked closely with the Northern Territory Government and the Board of the ATC to ensure that all currently enrolled students complete their education and training pathway.
Current ATC students in both government and non-government partner schools will be offered priority transition through the Northern Territory Workready Program. The Program provides school to work pathways and offers Vocational Education and Training, leading to school-based apprenticeships and traineeships.
The relationships and programs developed by the Darwin ATC will continue to benefit the region through integration with the Program.
The existing facilities will be integrated into the operations of participating schools, which will provide long-term trade training pathways to students in the region.
The Government is committed to providing education and training that meets the needs of students and their communities, while also combating skills shortages and improving workforce participation.