College Overview

What is Harvester Technical College?

Harvester Technical College is a boutique senior secondary facility which specialises in pathways into traditional trade areas including Engineering, Electrotechnology, Carpentry and Plumbing. It offers young people in the western and outer western communities of Metropolitan Melbourne an opportunity to complete secondary education whilst building employment ready skills in a variety of trade areas. The College operates under the umbrella of the multi-campus Sunshine College complex.

Harvester is one of the very few colleges in Australia that combines a well-balanced program building both core Literacy and Numeracy skills as well as vocationally specific skills.

In 2014, we were delighted to take possession of our wonderful state-of-the-art Trade Training Centre (TTC). With the Centre coming on line, Harvester has achieved a greater balance in its program delivery. We are now in a better position to offer high quality, specialised integrated programs in both VCE – Vocational Major and our Vocational Education and Training (VET) on site. Our new workshop facilities include Engineering, Electrotechnology, Building and Construction (Carpentry) as well as Plumbing.

Of course buildings are only half the story. The College is privileged to also boast a highly skilled, committed and experienced staff team. Similarly balanced between trade teachers and VCE – Vocational Major teachers, our teaching staff collaborate to create integrated programs which provide students with engaging, project based learning experiences. Curriculum content is driven by current industry practice as guided by our Industry Reference Groups as much as possible.

The College believes the key to creating high levels of success for our students is providing them with engaging, relevant and focused programs. We support their development to become well rounded young people who are confident to take their place in the social, as well as vocational world before them. Our students’ high success rate in achieving offers for apprenticeships has been steadily rising with every passing year. The best measure of our progress towards achieving this goal is feedback from employers, students and their families. ​​

 

Brief Summary of the HTC Program

Tech Ten (Year 10) 

  1. The Tech Ten program is designed to provide an introduction to applied learning and integrated projects. Learning and assessment activities involve a balance of core skills development and ‘trade taster’ electives. Each student will complete 2 x 2 week block of Structured Workplace Learning during the year.

Year 11 

  1. The Year 11 program is designed to build on applied learning skills and to focus on developing learning pathways towards work and further study. Learning and assessment activities involve completion of  VCE – Vocational Major units through projects. Each student will participate in a pre-apprenticeship qualification in one of the trade areas and complete 2 x 2 week blocks of Structured Workplace Learning within their industry of study.

Year 12 

  1. The Year 12 program is designed to consolidate applied learning skills and finalise their preparation for the world of work and further study. Learning and assessment activities involve completion of VCE – Vocational Major units through practical projects. Each student will complete a pre-apprenticeship qualification and complete 2 x 2 week blocks of Structured Workplace Learning within their industry of study.