Australian Industry Trade College

School in Queensland, Australia

The Industry School

Location

* South East Queensland, Australia

Queensland

Australia

Information
Type| Independent, senior school, co-educational, industry education
Motto| Deliberately Different.
Established| 2006
Chairman| Ric Roach
Principal| Mark Hands | CEO (2006-2024) Lee Smith | CEO-elect (2025- )
Grades| 10–12
Enrolment| >1300
Colour(s)| Neon, Dark Green, Purple
RTO| 31775
Website| theindustryschool.com.au

The Industry School (formerly the Australian Industry Trade College (AITC)) - RTO 31775, is an independent, senior school for young people located at the Gold Coast, Redlands, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, Ipswich and Brisbane, in Queensland, Australia. Students in Years 10, 11 and 12 undertake a deliberately different education where they immerse in industry, gain vocational qualifications and complete their Queensland Certificate of Education, all while at school.

Established in 2006 by industry leaders, the School's unique model enables young people up to 28 weeks a year in industry, training or work experience, and 20 weeks a year in education. The Industry School is a fierce advocate for the value of high calibre industry education for technically talented and bright minded young people.

By 2011, the industry-driven school had transitioned to the Australian Industry Trade College with a purpose built campus on Scottsdale Drive, Robina.[1] It then scaled to open schools in Redlands (2016),[2] Sunshine Coast (2018),[3] Toowoomba (2019),[4] Ipswich (2020),[5] and Brisbane (2022).[6]

The Industry School is a not for profit company governed by a board of directors appointed from a broad range of industries. The School is accredited by the Non State Schools Accreditation Board and is a registered training organisation, governed by the Australian Skills Quality Authority.

The deliberately different school has a selective enrolment policy, with approximately 1280 students enrolled in Years 10, 11 and Year 12.

## History

[edit]

The Industry School started as the Australian Industry Trade College in 2008 prior to the demise of the 24 Government funded Australian Technical Colleges (vocational education institutions), which officially ceased to operate in December 2009.[7][8]

According to CEO, Mark Hands, in essence the School became "an independent senior school with a trade focus".[9] In 2024, the independent school rebranded to be The Industry School. Industry partnerships are the cornerstone of the School, having had close working relationships with the likes of TAFE Queensland, Boating Industry Association, Heavy Vehicle Industry Association, Racing Queensland, Master Plumbers Queensland, Master Builders Australia, MEGT, and Bosch.

## Curriculum

[edit]

The Industry School focusses on developing character and values, academic and enterprise skills, employability skills and industry readiness. The program engages young people in purposeful learning experiences with real world industry relevance, whilst meeting the requirements of the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority. Students attend the School in 5-week blocks and are placed in work experience, work placement and school-based apprenticeships for 5–7 weeks during the remainder of the school term.

The Federal Member for McPherson, Karen Andrews, said in the House of Representatives on 17 August 2011 that "The AITC also has a unique style of teaching and working with students".[10]

Students are encouraged to participate in service projects, both local and international. Every year, a team of young people, staff and industry partners, travels to Cambodia to build homes and shelter for underprivileged Cambodian families.[11] The first overseas trip commenced in 2013, in partnership with New Hope Cambodia.

The Industry School is more than a trade college, offering extensive industry pathways, non-traditional trades, and Academy programs. For more than 15 years, The Industry School has produced great results - which is why it's a school of first for industry education.

## Student awards

[edit]

* The Educator Schools of Excellence
* Queensland Master Builders Apprentice of the Year
* Construction Skills Queensland Apprentice of the Year
* Master Plumbers School-based Apprentice of the Year
* Queensland Training Awards Regional Finalist
* Australian Defence Force Long Tan Leadership Awards
* Australian Student Vocational Prize Winners

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Industry has $10m learning curve" Archived May 4, 2013, at the Wayback Machine," Gold Coast Bulletin",
2. ^ Kerr, Judith (24 February 2015). "College eyes off Redlands for campus". Redland City Bulletin. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
3. ^ "AITC". Sunshine Coast Council. 6 April 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
4. ^ Newton, Matthew (16 July 2019). "Toowoomba trade college opens its doors". Courier Mail. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
5. ^ McIvor, Lachlan (30 January 2020). "New school puts equal focus on trades and academics". Courier Mail. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
6. ^ O'Malley, Brendan (16 November 2021). "Unique Years 10-12 trades college to open in Brisbane next year". South West News. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
7. ^ The Australian - Government to abolish ATC funding
8. ^ ABC News - Funding to finish end of 2009
9. ^ Admin, News (11 January 2016). "Trade college a coup for Redland City". Redlands Coast Today. Retrieved 5 August 2024. `{{cite web}}`: `|first=` has generic name (help)
10. ^ Federal Member for McPherson - AITC Archived June 6, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
11. ^ Gold Coast students volunteer Cambodia Archived January 14, 2014, at the Wayback Machine

## External links

[edit]

* https://theindustryschool.com.au/ The Industry School website
* http://www.aitc.qld.edu.au/ Australian Industry Trade College website
* https://www.facebook.com/AustralianIndustryTradeCollege AITC Australian Industry Trade College on Facebook

28°05′31″S 153°23′31″E﻿ / ﻿28.092°S 153.392°E﻿ / -28.092; 153.392