About Us

Who we are

The Australian Technical College – Darwin is one of a network of Australian Technical Colleges established around the country to train young people in areas where there are skills shortages, a high youth population and strong industry support and leadership.

The College caters for Years 11 and 12 students who wish to study for their Northern Territory Certificate of Education and start an apprenticeship whilst still at school (Australian School-based Apprenticeship at the Certificate III Level). To assist us in this challenge we are working with our partner schools, Casuarina Senior College, Palmerston High School and Taminmin High School. Kormilda College and St John's College join us in 2008.

The Australian Technical College - Darwin is there to support students through both academic and trade training; with mentoring, career advice and business and employability skills. The courses are developed with industry input to ensure the training offered is relevant for local needs.

Our vision

A new choice for students in Darwin
Our vision is to be the leading organisation in helping young people develop career pathways in areas of skills shortage.

The Australian Technical College - Darwin will provide excellence in the delivery of Australian School-based Apprenticeships by finding new ways of combining senior schooling with the world of work and trade training for students in the Darwin region.

Our commitment

To establish a College that provides high quality learning through a combination of relevant schooling and the delivery of Australian School-based Apprenticeships in partnership with industry.

We aim to be a leader in the delivery of education and training for secondary school students in partnership with industry. We are committed to creating career pathways for students into their chosen trade areas by:

designing training that is directed by industry and which meets industry standards;
delivering training in a cooperative framework;
assisting students to gain employment within their chosen field;
becoming an economically viable partner with industry to increase skill levels and employment growth;
developing a workplace culture that is conducive to high level outcomes; and
assisting students to make informed career choices through the provision of quality information and experiences.

Our Industry partners

Five peak industry organisations have united to create an innovative training and education partnership that will help Darwin’s youth get the skills they need to build a pathway to a rewarding career:

- The Territory Construction Association
- Motor Trades Association
- NT Chamber of Commerce
- The Australian Hotels Association (NT)
- Group Training NT

As shareholders of The Australian Technical College - Darwin Pty. Ltd. these organisations have a keen interest in ensuring quality tradespeople are available to industry.

Our Board

The Australian Technical College - Darwin is governed by a Board representing local business and industry. The Directors share a commitment to making the Australian Technical College - Darwin a success for young people and industry throughout the Darwin region.

Board of Directors, The Australian Technical College – Darwin

Peter Carew AM (Director Chair)

Executive Manager Commercial for Regional and Northern Maintenance Services (RANms)

Greg McLaughlin (Director)

Managing Director, Mobile Electrics

Amy Williamson (Director)

Executive Director, Australian Hotels Association (NT)

Greg Ambrose Pearce (Director)

Director, Kerry's Automotive Group

Andrew Wilson (Director)

General Manager, SkyCity Darwin

Matti Urvet (Director)

Independent Director

Steve Sjoberg (Director - Company Secretary)

Chief Executive Officer & Principal,

The Australian Technical College - Darwin

Our staff

	Chief Executive Officer & Principal, Steve Sjoberg Steve has worked in local secondary schools for 32 years in various roles including Principal of Taminmin High School and Casuarina Senior College. Steve is on a number of committees and organisations focused on improving training opportunities for senior secondary students. With extensive experience in education and providing vocational training within schools, Steve is passionate about finding new and innovative pathways to help students better their education and employment outcomes.
	Business Manager, Roger Paul Roger is an FCPA with 27 years experience with various industries in Darwin. Roger began his career in Adelaide before moving to Darwin in 1980 where he worked in the construction industry for eight years, followed by 17 years of various accounting and management positions within the Paspaley Group of companies. As Business Manager with The Australian Technical College - Darwin, Roger manages all contractual obligations with the Government, looks after human resources and administration, and sources Government funding and community support.
	Education & Training Manager, Sue Sanders Sue Sanders joins The Australian Technical College – Darwin with extensive experience in secondary and vocational education and training. She has also undertaken roles in health promotion and tertiary education. Sue has taught in several Darwin secondary schools across several subject areas and worked as a School Careers Adviser. Sue’s previous secondary school leadership positions include Faculty Senior, Junior School Coordinator and Senior Project Officer VET in Schools in the NT Department of Employment, Education and Training. She has also spent several years as Coordinator of Admissions at Charles Darwin University.
	Industry Liaison Manager, Peter Donovan Peter has a range of experience in the trade and training sectors. From a trade and small business background, Peter is familiar with what’s involved in the process of employing and training young people. One of his primary roles as Industry Liaison Manager is to ensure a smooth transition from school to work for the Australian School-based Apprentices (ASbA’s). He will also be assisting businesses in the five skill shortage areas covered by the College and provide employment pathways for ASbA’s.
	Bronwyn Langworthy, Counselor Bronwyn comes to the College with a broad vocational background in the areas of construction, agriculture, business, science, education and student services. Roles within have included the ‘hands on’ practical, owner-operator, locum, researcher, administrator, teacher and counsellor. Bronwyn most recently worked at the NT Open Education Centre as a member of a Student Services Team, with students who were involved in flexible learning, including VET. Her focus there, as Course and Career Counselor, was the customizing of programs and strategies to meet each student’s special requirements and challenges. She brings to The Australian Technical College - Darwin, and its students, perspectives of employer and student advocate, an enthusiasm for values education, a passion for finding creative solutions and for assisting students to develop further their strengths and abilities, better fitting them to seize life’s wonderful opportunities.
	Office Administrator, Lisa Massang Lisa was originally from Perth WA and relocated to Darwin 3 years ago for a change of lifestyle. Lisa brings to the College 12 years of Administration Experience as well as a Certificate IV in Business Administration.
	Reception, Cassandra Gaston Cassie is the College’s youngest team member and came to the College from Sanderson High School to start a traineeship.

Our facilities

As well as our corporate facilities at Stuart Park which provide for administrative, one-on-one and group training services, we have plans in place to build additional facilities and supply new equipment to our partner schools. These new, complementary facilities will greatly boost the education and training opportunities for students enrolled with The Australian Technical College - Darwin while helping our partner schools meet their future requirements.