Year 12 Automotive student Jerome Cook was today signed up for his apprenticeship, making him the College’s 867th young person to do so in the past decade.
Jerome will join Adelaide Crane Maintenance as a heavy vehicle mechanic. He was signed to a School-based Apprenticeship, meaning he will complete Year 12 at the end of the year.
Principal Danny Deptula congratulated Jerome on gaining his apprenticeship and thanked Adelaide Crane Maintenance for employing local youth.
Mr Deptula said the College strongly encouraged students to complete high school by signing up to School-based Apprenticeships. He said the College’s innovative and flexible approach to education saw School-based Apprentices at school just six weeks a year in Year 12, and 40 weeks with their employer.
This meant they were able to pick up their on-the-job skills, complemented by trade school and still attain their SACE.
“We know, and statistics show, that if you complete Year 12 you are more likely to remain in employment,’’ Mr Deptula said.
“We also know that as a School-based Apprentice, if you complete high school you will earn more when you go into your second year compared to if you left school early and went into a full-time apprenticeship.’’
He said with the new Liberal State Government committing to nearly 21000 new apprenticeships and traineeships in the next four years combined with StPatsTech students were at the forefront for jobs.
StPatsTech has seen more than 30 students signed to School-based Apprenticeships in the first half of the year, and a further nearly 20 opt for full-time apprenticeships.
Jerome is pictured with his new employer Heath Lithgow from Adelaide Crane Maintenance