College Overview

What is Harvester Technical College?

Harvester Technical College is a boutique senior secondary facility which specialise in pathways into traditional trade areas including Engineering, Electrotechnology, Carpentry and Plumbing. It is a unique senior secondary institution which 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 Carpentry, Engineering, Electrotechnology and Plumbing.

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 skilfully create integrated programs which provide students with engaging, project based learning experiences. All content is driven by current industry practice as guided by our Industry Reference Groups.

The College believes that 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 students and their families. ​​

The College delivers the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCE – Vocational Major) at all three levels, Foundation, Intermediate and Senior. The VCE – Vocational Major is combined with a Vocational Educational and Training (VET) Certificate in one of our specialisations.

Brief Summary of the HTC Program

Year 10 (Foundation)

  1. The Year 10 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 Work Experience during the year.

Year 11 (Intermediate)

  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 Intermediate VCE – Vocational Major units through practical projects. Each student will participate in a pre-apprenticeship qualification in their trade area of choice. Depending upon their selection this qualification may be completed in 1 or 2 years. Students will complete 2 x 2 week blocks of Structured Workplace Learning within their industry of choice.

Year 12 (Senior)

  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 Senior VCE – Vocational Major units through practical projects. Each student will complete a pre-apprenticeship qualification in their trade area of choice. Students will complete 2 x 2 week blocks of Structured Workplace Learning within their industry of choice.