FOR the first time since its inception in 2007, Hunter Trade College will offer a fifth trade choice to year 11 students.
From 2025, plumbing will be added to its offerings alongside metals, engineering, construction and building and automotive and electrotechnology.
The college offers students the unique opportunity to study for their Higher School Certificate (HSC) while earning a Statement of Attainment towards Cert III in Plumbing and Cert II in construction pathways.
Hunter Trade College business manager Rod Elbourne said with employment in plumbing projected to grow by three per cent by 2028, it was a "no-brainer" to be offering the course.
"We've had a demand in plumbing over the last few years at a stage where we'd be crazy not to offer it as a course. We'll be opening another workshop, employing more staff and at least filling half the class at this point," he said.
While the college is not an ATAR pathway, Mr Elbourne said 90 per cent of students are employed within a trade within three months of leaving and close to 70 per cent of year 12 students at the college are undertaking a school-based apprenticeship.
"That's the highest number in the Hunter and we're pretty proud of that," he said.
Plumbing business owner Daniel O'Brien has welcomed the new plumbing program, highlighting its benefits to employers creating "ideal candidates".
"We welcome the addition of the plumbing program to ensure future apprentices are provided with the opportunity to kick start their careers," he said.
"We appreciate the college's commitment to preparing students for the workforce, and the addition of plumbing to their offerings is seen as a significant boost to the local industry."
Those interested in applying for the 2025 academic year can attend the Hunter Trade College open day on October 9 from 2pm-6pm or visiting https://htc.nsw.edu.au for more information.
