Outback Academy set to benefit rural and remote students and communities in SA

Announced on 5 November 2009 the “Outback Academy Trade Training Centre”, will provide much needed trade training opportunities for students located in the remote towns of Coober Pedy, Mintabie and Oodnadatta in South Australia. Three schools, Coober Pedy Area School, Oodnadatta Aboriginal School and Mintabie Area School, are working together as a cluster to maximise opportunities for their students and the wider community.

The new Centre, funded under Round Two of the Trade Training Centre for Schools Program, will operate across a vast rural and remote region (approximately 780,000 km) and assist students from some of the most socioeconomic, geographically isolated, cultural and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds in the nation.

The facility will also provide training to indigenous students from the far north region stretching to the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands on the Northern Territory border.

‘This unique region requires innovative and creative training solutions and this project will deliver that,’ said Mr Tony Curtis, Program Manager Trade Schools for the Future South Australian Department of Education and Children Services (DECS).

In addition to the refurbishment of existing facilities at Coober Pedy Area School the funding of up to $1,101,711 will also allow the purchasing and fit out of mobile training facilities and the purchase of industry specific equipment that will be used by all schools in the cluster as well as students and community members within the region.

These facilities will target key skill shortages for the region including the Hospitality, Agri Foods and Construction industries.

“Industry and local business needs have been instrumental in shaping the project, particularly providing input into identifying regional skill shortages,’ explained Jo Stolz,Industry Skills Manager, DECS.

“The project will have a huge impact on the opportunities for engagement, retention and achievement of students into vocational pathways and successful transitions into post school life.” Jo said.  

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