What is P-TECH?
At its core, the P-TECH model being delivered at Wyong High School is about collaboration – a partnership between education, industry and community – but it is a partnership with a clear purpose: To provide an industry supported pathway for young people to achieve that strengthens their employment prospects.
Our Mission
The P-TECH mission is to develop and support pathways to post-school education that lead to careers in Food Science and Technology and IT related fields. With support from industry, P-TECH students engage in a rigorous academic program with strong links to real world applications—and real jobs.
Achieving this goal requires the education, industry and community sectors to work together to put in place the key elements that make up the P-TECH model, including:
Innovative curriculum
A key aspect of designing the learning program includes the way existing Australian Curriculum and Australian Qualifications Framework recognised education and training is sequenced (or ordered) to achieve the best outcomes for students.
Innovative approaches to learning
Partnerships between schools and industry enable innovative approaches to the way learning is delivered; approaches that would not be possible if schools, or industry, acted in isolation. Working together, schools and industry can provide opportunities for students to engage with the world of work and better understand the relevance of their learning to jobs and post-school pathways.
Mentor support
The mentor relationship between young people and industry personnel provides continuity of support for students to achieve a post-school qualification. The mentor relationship will ensure the students' learning stays on track and provides opportunities for guidance to help young people make informed decisions regarding their education, training and employment options.
A post-school qualification
A strong relationship between the school, industry and post-school institution(s) will provide continuity of support and a seamless pathway for students as they transition from school to further education to complete their post-school qualification.
Links to employment
Collaboration between the education and industry sectors strengthens the connection between student learning and the skills that employers need. In addition to the technical skills that students' gain, opportunities to engage with employers and experience the contemporary workplace enable P-TECH students to develop the work-readiness skills so highly valued by employers.
Industry Partners
IBM and Mars Food Australia are business partners in the Central Coast P-TECH Partnership that support Wyong High School. The Central Coast Food Alliance is also involved in the program and the University of Newcastle is a tertiary partner. Food Science and Technology and IT students studying the Certificate III in Information Digital Media and Technology have opportunity for alternate entry pathways to the University of Newcastle as well as a wide variety of pathways to other tertiary education providers.