St Patrick’s Technical College is celebrating the announcement that it has three finalists in the prestigious 2019 SA Training Awards.

The announcements came this week with the College itself named finalist in the VET Innovation in Schools category.

Also making the finals list is Year 12 Metals and Engineering student Tayla Carll, who is an apprentice at Stratco and Class of 2018 Hair and Beauty graduate Sarah Mills, who recently completed her beauty therapist traineeship at Brazilian Beauty in North Adelaide.

StPatsTech Principal Danny Deptula said the College is delighted to be represented by two very different, but equally impressive, young women. “Sarah and Tayla’s inclusion in the short list of finalists in the SA Training Awards is fantastic. We are immensely proud of both young women and the pathways they represent for other girls coming up behind them,’’ Mr Deptula said.

Mr Deptula said the College was honoured to be selected as a finalist in the inaugural VET Innovation in Schools category.

“What we do here at StPatsTech is truly unique in every sense. Since opening our doors in 2007, we have been innovators in delivering senior secondary education within a vocational education and training context,’’ Mr Deptula said. “For us, VET is not an optional program offered separate to a students’ main subjects. It is the main subject offered to our students and it complements their SACE studies. We are delighted to be recognised by the SA Skills and Training Commission.”

Tayla, who is in the School-based Apprentice of the Year category, is the first female Metals and Engineering apprentice taken on by Stratco and has broken new ground in terms of women in traditionally male-dominated trade areas. The Andrews Farm resident has been able to use StPatsTech’s contextualised, hands-on educational structure to overcome some learning challenges. By combining her vocational education and training studies with her SACE subjects, Tayla is on track to complete Year 12 and her first year of her apprenticeship by the end of the year.

“Ever since joining us at the start of 2018, Tayla has continued to impress all who have come in contact with her because of her focus, dedication and can-do attitude,’’ Mr Deptula said. Tayla was part of the College’s innovative P-TECH Australia program with industry partner Century Engineering.

Old Scholar Sarah Mills, who is in the Trainee of the Year category, has overcome issues with low self-esteem and self-image and used her experiences in her work. As a beauty therapist, Sarah focusses on making people feel confident in their own skin. 

Hailing from Williamstown, Sarah has a particular focus on helping young people deal with acne that builds their self-esteem. She hopes to one day become a dermatologist. “Sarah is a wonderful example of a young person overcoming some very challenging issues and using that experience to help others,’’ Mr Deptula said. “StPatsTech is proud to be represented by Sarah, who we have seen grow into a confident young woman and a role model for others.’’

The SA Training Award winners will be announced at a Gala Dinner on 6 September 2019.