Apprenticeships and Traineships

The Western Cape College, Weipa Campus, currently has thirteen School Based Apprentices/Trainees, employed in varying industries ranging from Information Technology, Light Vehicle Mechanic, Warehousing, Diesel Fitting, Boilermaking, Carpentry, Hairdressing, Refrigeration Mechanic, Beef Cattle Production and Hospitality Operations.

Over the last 12 months there has been a lot of movement within the SAT�s area. At the end of the 2004 school year it was very pleasing to see the positive results achieved. There was the completion of a Hospitality Operations Traineeship and that student is now in Year 12. A Warehouse Traineeship was completed and that student moved straight into full time work in that area. An Engineering Traineeship was also completed and that student has moved on to full time work as an apprentice in that area. A Retail Trainee moved into full time work and quickly completed that Traineeship.

In 2005 another Hospitality Operations student completed a Traineeship and remains in Year 12. School based positions for a Chef and Auto Electrician were signed up and those students quickly made the choice to move onto full time Apprenticeships and are excelling in their areas. Apprenticeships in the areas of Boilermaking, Mechanics, Carpentry, Agriculture, Hairdressing, Hospitality and Refrigeration have also been filled this year.

There are more local businesses currently considering taking on a SAT and the interest from within the student body for apprenticeships in the trades area is extremely high. As employers find out more about the benefits of having a SAT, and the Government incentives available to encourage them to do so, more positions will become available to the interested students at Western Cape College.

It is pleasing to see that the majority of the new SAT�s have impressed employees during their Work Experience placements this year in June, and have been rewarded with jobs for their chosen career paths.