Federal Ministers Visit ATEC’s Ottoway Skills Centre

ATEC was proud to welcome Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles MP, and Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler MP, to our Ottoway Skills Centre for a recent site tour.

The visit provided an opportunity to showcase the vital role ATEC plays in delivering high-quality apprenticeship training and supporting South Australia’s future workforce. Joining the Ministers on the tour were ATEC Chair Ian Curry, Deputy Chair Doug Searle, CEO Greg Bassani OAM, and members of the ATEC team. 

During the visit, guests were guided through ATEC’s purpose-built training facilities, gaining first-hand insight into the hands-on learning environments that underpin our programs. From fabrication and mechanical workshops to carpentry and electrical training spaces, the Ottoway Skills Centre is designed to mirror real industry settings, ensuring apprentices develop practical, job-ready skills from day one.

A highlight of the visit was hearing directly from ATEC GT apprentice Chris, who shared his personal training journey. Chris spoke about his experience undertaking an engineering apprenticeship, the skills he’s developing, and the opportunities that hands-on training has opened up for his future career. His story provided a powerful example of the impact vocational education and training can have on individuals and industry alike.

At ATEC, we are committed to creating strong pathways into trades and supporting apprentices, employers, and industry through practical training, real-world experience, and ongoing support. Visits such as this are an important opportunity to highlight the value of apprenticeships and the role they play in strengthening South Australia’s skills pipeline.

We thank Minister Butler and Minister Giles for taking the time to visit ATEC and engage with our team and apprentices.