Industry Pathways Program

Industry Pathways Program

The electro technology Industry Pathways Program (IPP) is an initiative that has been developed from strong partnerships between ETSA Utilities and the Department of Education and Children’s Services (DECS) since 2006, with the aim of engaging secondary students in electro technology related trade apprenticeships which can lead to engineering training pathways.

This initiative is a part of the Industry Skills Program that is a key component of DECS contribution to the State Government’s School to Work Strategy. The IPP integrates Trade Schools for the Future (TSftF) and Trade Training Centres in schools, TafeSA campuses and ETSA Utilities Training Centres as a part of the TSftF ten year plan for each educational region.

The curriculum package comprises generic components of AQTF electro technology units incorporating a range of Electricity Supply Industry (ESI) ETSA Utilities oriented student projects. While the package offers a strong focus on the electrical distribution infrastructure, the units will provide credits towards up to 19 various AQTF Certificates in the electro-communications, powerline, refrigeration and electronics genres. This means there is great flexibility for secondary school students in a wide range of educational pathways.

The introduction of this IPP occurred through a joint DECS/ETSA Utilities workshop in April 2011, which was held for 45 metropolitan and country schools, both public and private, at the ETSA Utilities Angle Park Training Centre. With the curriculum package now being made available, almost 20 of these schools have committed to offering it in their schools as part of the SACE program.

The IPP curriculum package is available for all public and private sector schools through either DECS or ETSA Utilities.

Taster Program

To provide an opportunity for Year 10 students to gain a taste of the ESI that may assist them to potentially choose this IPP as part of their SACE, a number of Taster Programs are programmed by ETSA Utilities annually across selected metropolitan and regional secondary schools.

The Taster Program consists of:

  • ETSA Utilities practical interactive demonstrations by ETSA Utilities staff with an elevated work platform at school sites to selected Year 10 groups. A short-listing student selection process then occurs within the participating schools.
  • A full day practical workshop at ETSA Utilities Training Centres at Angle Park and Davenport Port Augusta – understanding of the powerline trade.
  • A full day practical workshop at the relevant sponsoring TafeSA campus – understanding of the electrical and electronics trades.

While there is a limit of Taster Programs available, there may be opportunities for ETSA Utilities to undertake industry tours or visits for any other schools providing ample notice is given.

For further information contact 08 8348 8060 or email