NCAT – About the school
About the Northern College of Arts and Technology (formally NTEC)
College Profile
Northland Secondary College is unique in Victoria. It delivers high quality practical based training and, as part of the Heidelberg Regeneration project, from 2012 the college will operate as a Year 10-13 College specialising in the Visual and Performing Arts, Design and Technology with a strong focus on applied learning.
Northland SC is a “Lighthouse” school for the range of programs and pathways it delivers at senior levels not only to its own students but also students in Melbourne’s North. The college is a nationally registered training organisation, providing VET programs in a diverse range of areas to over 400 students from 39 State and private schools in addition to its own students.
The college has close relationships with industry and tertiary education providers in its areas of specialisation. It provides individualised programs and pathways for students wanting to pursue further study, employment or training in areas such as Art, Multimedia, Animation, Fashion & Graphic Design, Audio/Music Production & Engineering, Dance, Contemporary Music, Live Production & Events Management, Manufacturing, Automotive, Electro-Technology, Engineering, Plumbing, Furniture & Musical Instrument Production, Building & Construction, Wholesale/Retail and Sport & Fitness.
The college has won a number of awards, has a history of innovation and provides unique programs that respond to state & regional training needs. This is exemplified by the establishment of Ntec, its $5 million Technology Centre, nomination as a Leading School in Technology and being awarded $11.7 million Trade Training Centre (TTC) funding to expand its offerings.
Northland Secondary College has for many years worked in partnership with State, Federal and local governments, local schools, TAFEs, Universities, community and industry in order to ensure the best possible educational opportunities for young people in our region. As a result, the college has a close relationship with industry and tertiary education providers in its areas of specialisation.
Developments 2011
2011 is a big year for the college. By October our $11.7million Ntec Regional Trade Training Centre (Stage 4 of Ntec) will be completed and ready for use by students. The completion of the centre will herald Stage 1 of the redevelopment of the college as a Senior College of the Arts and Technology.
The new centre will see new areas for Building & Construction, a $2.3 million sustainable and renewable energy training area to train young people in green jobs, a dedicated area for Plumbing, Electro-Technology, Horticulture, Engineering and Casting Technology. Together with the $5 million current Ntec facility, the new centre means the College will have one of the largest Technology facilities in Victoria and be the foremost provider of Technology Education of colleges in Melbourne. The existing Pre-Apprenticeship programs in Building, Plumbing, Auto and Electro-tech will extend to other trade areas utilising the new facilities.
2011 also sees the college introducing apprenticeship training in Engineering/Casting Technology – a first for a Secondary college in Victoria. The apprenticeship is run in partnership with the Australian Foundry Industry
The college has also received planning money for the next growth phase; the construction of new $15 million Visual & Performing Arts buildings and facilities. 2011 will see the completion of these plans and their submission to the DEECD for funding. These new facilities, together with the current and new Ntec facilities, will form part of the new College of the Arts and Technology.
As part of the new college, a business plan is being prepared for the establishment of a 60 bed residential on site, so that country students can take advantage of our unique programs.
As well, the college is in the process of being renamed to reflect it redevelopment as a specialist Senior College for the Arts, Design and Technology.
Ntec stage 4 – New Facility for Plumbing, Foundry, building & Construction
