Education Advertising

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:57): My question is to the Premier. What is the cost of the government's current education advertising campaign? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Last night, certainly at least last night, members of the opposition became aware of TV advertisements and advertisements online encouraging enrolments at Findon High School's technical college.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier has the call.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Premier) (14:58): I am more than happy to take that question on notice in terms of the value of the education campaign regarding the technical college enrolments. We have commenced a campaign, though, advising South Australians around the opportunities that young people have to enrol in the technical colleges. The first of the technical colleges, at Findon High School, will be opening for the beginning of the school year. This is something I know the member for Cheltenham has a significant interest in, it being within his electorate. It is certainly something the minister has been working very hard on.

I was down at Findon Technical College a couple of Sundays ago to launch that campaign and advise that enrolments are now open for that. It's an amazing opportunity down there. For students who enrol at Findon Technical College in the advanced manufacturing course that is being provided, they effectively have a guaranteed job at the end of that program, should they complete it, at BAE.

I don't think we have seen an example in this state's history where a student can enrol in a specific program at a high school and have a guaranteed job at the end of it. It's a pretty amazing circumstance with a specific employer of this nature. We believe the technical colleges are so important in their scope and in their nature that we want as many South Australians knowing about them as possible, particularly young South Australians who will be afforded this great opportunity.