The ATCG is a trilateral arrangement between industry, the Gordon Institute of Tafe and G-Force recruitment to provide students with the opportunity to undertake a school-based apprenticeship while completing Years 11 and 12.
ATCG Board Chairman and Shell Geelong Refinery Engineering Manager, Alan Greaves, said the signed agreement is the culmination of 12-months work to establish an inclusive training service to address the region’s chronic trade shortage.
“Today’s event is a progressive step for the Geelong education environment and also represents a bright future for students wishing to undertake a trade based career,” said Alan.
“An enormous amount of work has been undertaken by the ATCG board to create a training model that is flexible, proactive and innovative so that it meets the needs required by Geelong’s industrial and manufacturing industry,” he said.
“The funding agreement provides certainty that the college will open early next year. However, what we now need is local industry to support and increase the number of school-based apprentices.
“Industry support is not only critical to the ATCG’s success, but also to addressing the region’s skill shortage. With almost 20 percent of the workforce retiring by 2010, the need to replace this lost talent pool cannot be delayed – action is required now!
“The college will have the flexibility to source the best available academic and vocational staff, therefore companies will have access to outstanding graduates possessing the required skills demanded by industry,” he said.
The ATCG principal campus and administrative centre will operate from the Geelong Manufacturing Industry Training Centre at Boundary Road, East Geelong. An inclusive service will be offered including career counselling, recruitment, mentoring and nurturing, senior secondary education and job placement.
Operating independently, the ATCG model will not impact on existing educational programs or providers therefore allowing the college to broker provision of services from the most appropriate organisations.
Companies wishing to register their interest to hire an apprentice through the ATCG can do so by contacting G-force Recruitment on Tel: 5229 9144 or emailing  tcook@g-force-recruitment.com.au.
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