TRADE SCHOOLS FOR THE FUTURE

Mrs GERAGHTY (Torrens) (14:42): My question is to the Minister for Education and Child Development. Can the minister inform the house about support offered to students wishing to undertake apprenticeships while still at school through the Trade Schools for the Future initiative.

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI (Hartley—Minister for Education and Child Development) (14:42): I thank the member for Torrens. I was in the member's electorate last week, visiting a couple of schools in Dernancourt, and I acknowledge what fantastic schools they are and the member's advocacy on their behalf. I also acknowledge CBC, and some of its students are here today. It is a very fine school. I visited the school last year. It is great to have you here.

This government is absolutely serious about creating every chance for every child; that is why we aim to provide students with a diversity of options throughout their schooling life. The successful network of Trade Schools for the Future is an important part of this work. It links every state high school and helps young people to combine—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! There is too much background noise.

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: —both their SACE studies with vocational education and training by undertaking school-based apprenticeships or traineeships. Twenty apprenticeship brokers work with schools to connect young people with employers. This means that our young people are getting a head start in a wide range of trades and work areas, ranging from business administration to construction, the automotive industry (very important in South Australia), and community services.

In this community of South Australia, we recently passed a very significant milestone of 3,000 young people who have started a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship since our Trade Schools for the Future initiative started in 2008. Recently (last week or the week before), I attended the official opening of the Mark Oliphant College, and I congratulate them. It is an outstanding school .

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Unley!

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: At the opening, I was very pleased to meet Gemma Doughty, a year 11 student who has been identified as school-based apprentice No. 3,000. During our conversation, Gemma mentioned how much she was enjoying the program and that it was giving her firsthand experience in a workplace environment, which I think is very important. I take this opportunity to congratulate Gemma. I also had the pleasure of meeting her mother, who is enrolled in a certificate III course in community services, and I thank the local Bubble 'n' Squeak Child Development Centre for providing this opportunity to Gemma.

Trade Schools for the Future is providing a broader range of choices for young people in our community. Schools can offer both academic and vocational education and training, creating so many more choices than used to exist before. It is this very successful partnership that brings teachers, parents, families, employers and apprenticeship brokers together to better support our young people for the future.