Trade Training Centres

Centre managers

Host schools are recommended to employ a centre manager to make the most of their Trade Training Centre (TTC) or Australian Technical College (ATC) facilities.

Centre managers report to the host school principal. They play an important role in maintaining a productive relationship between the TTC or ATC, the host school and other VET cluster members. They do this in partnership with the VET cluster, VET coordinator, other VET providers and local employers.

Key responsibilities for centre managers usually include:

• managing the day-to-day operations of the facility
• ensuring high-quality delivery, coordination and timetabling of VET programs for schools
• promoting strong relationships and liaising with key stakeholders including schools, the VET cluster, VET providers, industry and the broader community
• developing a strategic plan for the centre, including potential commercial use of the facility when not being used for delivery of VET to school students
• supporting staff and students to enrol in and attend courses and use the facilities.

For a full list of recommended responsibilities that can be used when developing a position description for a centre manager, refer to Suggested roles and responsibilities of a centre manager on the Resources tab.

Centre managers may also choose to establish networks, such as a community of practice, to connect with other centre managers to share challenges and learnings.

Centre manager funding

There are several options available to fund a centre manager. It is recommended that any funding arrangements are documented in the VET cluster’s Memorandum of Understanding.

Option 1: Shared funding

In this model, schools in the host school’s VET cluster pay a fee per student enrolment to fund operations of the facility. A portion of this funding is used to fund management of the centre. The centre manager reports to the principal of the host school.

This approach puts less financial burden on the host school by spreading the cost across all schools accessing the facility.

Option 2: Host school funded

In this model, the host school takes full responsibility for employing a manager responsible for operation of the facility. The centre manager reports to the host principal. This approach ensures the host school has clear oversight and control over management of the facility.

Option 3: Self-funded through operating revenue

In this model, the TTC or ATC funds employment of a manager by generating revenue from commercial use of the facility when it is not in use for VET. For example, operating revenue could be generated by enrolling adult VET students for evening or weekend classes, or hiring out the centre for other commercial purposes to private registered training organisation. For more information, refer to Strategy and commercial use.

Option 4: No centre manager

In some cases, hiring a centre manager may not be a viable option for a school. For example, it may not be possible for a small facility that delivers a single VET course or in a rural setting with low enrolment volume.

If the TTC or ATC does not have a centre manager, clearly defining and documenting roles and responsibilities is critical. This is covered in the Roles and responsibilities guidance.

For case studies of how centre manager roles can be funded, refer to Case studies – Trade Training Centres and Australian Technical Colleges on the Resources tab.