Trade Skills Centre

Located at our Currency Creek site

Via Federal Government funding, a 1.2 million dollar upgrade to the Investigator College Eco-Sustainability Trade Skills Centre has just been completed. The upgrade has included several laboratory and learning spaces, in addition to the existing specialist Eco-centre. This Trade Training Skills Centre is unique. Situated near the junction of Currency Creek and the Murray River, on 10Ha of waterfront land which is currently being re-vegetated by students and the local community, this site provides all students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in horticulture, geography, science, outdoor and environmental education.

Investigator College sees the Trade Skills Centre as a community centre and to reflect this made a deliberate choice to engage local builders (South Coast Constructions). Indeed, it builds upon strong links with training and education providers and community groups such as TAFE SA, local businesses and organisations such as GWLAP, NRM and Flinders University. The facility is well used and becoming increasingly popular with many local and non- local schools, education trainers and professional development organisers for outdoor education and environmental education activities, camping and day visits.

The College has commenced an innovative Junior School Science program that sees all students from Reception to Year 6 visiting the site on a regular basis. Students experience “real world” and “hands on” science and explore the links between this and other areas of the curriculum including mathematics, geography and art to mention a few.

The Trade Skills Centre is an investment in the skills and occupations of today and the future and provides the perfect location for Investigator College to offer an impressive suite of VET offerings which reflect the College’s commitment to offering the widest range of choices in Senior Secondary education, so that students can discover their very best self. Offerings include:

Certificate II in Horticulture
Certificate II in Conservation and land Management
Certificate III in Conservation and land Management
Certificate I in Conservation and land Management
Certificate I in Agrifoods (Horticultural Pathway)

In addition to these:

Units of competency include Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Sustainability, Recognising Fauna and Plants, Nursery Practices and Weed Control. These Units allow students to carry out natural area restoration activities.
Endangered fish species projects
The school has established a Community Nursery located at our Currency Creek Site.
Students have propagated 10,000 plants per year.

Plants grown by the students are available for sale to the college community and to the general public.