OTHC Trades Academy

The OTHC Trades Academy is for Year 13 students who have passed the Level 2 program and want to do trades as a career in the construction industry. The academy was first created with the aim of giving distracted students a good opportunity to find a career path on leaving school. It has now become so successful at our school, that it is now seen as a necessity for other schools to have. This year, over a hundred Year 11s applied for the academy but unfortunately, there were only 45 spots available. This high number shows that students are wanting to choose a trade as a career. It also means that the school needs to make more places available to the students in the future. Students love the trades academy because not only do they get to plan and make things, but it gives them a huge opportunity to gain an apprenticeship after leaving school as builders, joiners, electricians, stone masons and the like.

Apprenticeships may last for three years, but students make money whilst also training on the job. The trades academy has the added benefit of being linked to the Rotary Club of Penrose and their RAP programme. This programme sees Rotarians, who themselves are qualified tradesmen or manufacturers, come in and mentor the students. So successful has the OTHC trades academy model been that it is now being filmed with the finished product being shared at an upcoming principals’ conference so other schools may like to start their own academy. Trades Academy Director Ms McKeon said about the success of the academy, “I think the Trade Academy is successful because it is a culmination of students understanding the career pathway, enjoying the type of work, support from our Rotary RAP group, the BOT, SLT and staff and support from the wider business community. The success of the Trade Academy comes from a large group of people working together for a common goal. We want strong Trade career pathways for our students and through a shared vision, we are able to achieve that.”

SALWA KAMBL & DIYA NEGI - NEWS MEDIA TEAM