Head Start for Young Electrician

Adam Fedczyszyn is one of the first two Ignatian students to complete a School-based Apprenticeship and Traineeship (SBAT) while in Year 12 this year.

SBATs allow students to earn a wage, train with an employer, and work towards an accredited qualification while undertaking their South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE).

The 17-year-old started his journey in VET (vocational education and training) in Year 10, doing Try a Trade days. He went on to undertake work experience as an electrician as a part of the Year 10 work experience program.

This helped ignite a ‘spark’ for the trade. “I don’t mind working with my hands,” Adam said. “[Practical work] is much easier for me, and I just find it interesting.” Especially seeing the finished result of a project, such as a fully operating residential kitchen.

While in Year 11, he completed a Certificate II in Electrotechnology and Certificate III in Screen and Media. He also studied Stage 1 Workplace Practices, undertaking more work experience.

At the end of Year 11, he was signed up as an apprentice with Old Ignatian parent Philip Spicer via group training organisation MEGT. This saw Adam attend school two days per week and work three days a week with Philip.

After completing the subjects, Activating Identities and Futures (AIF) and a semester of Essential Maths, Adam had enough credits to gain his SACE. He could then do his apprenticeship full-time, attending TAFE to start his Certificate III in Electrotechnology.

Adam now has his SACE and has completed the first year of his apprenticeship.

He praised Lisa McDonald, the College’s Leader of Learning Pathways and Futures, for supporting him through the process. “Mrs McDonald was really good because she just encouraged me to get it all done.”

While juggling study and work made for a “busy” lifestyle at times, with Adam sometimes working 12-hour days, he found it best to “just keep moving”. He's also hoping the hard graft will pay off with him one day having his own electrical business.

Meanwhile, VET courses across the board continue to gain in popularity at the College, according to Mrs McDonald.

“A highlight this year was the implementation of our brand-new VET offering for Year 11 – the Certificate III in Hospitality in Semester 2 – where students embarked on learning new culinary skills, as well as enhancing their employability through learning front of house skills.”

Year 11 proved the most popular year to study a Certificate II or III. Students in Year 10 also undertook basic First Aid courses.

A total of 126 students, across the senior years, undertook VET courses via the College in 2024, including on-site in Screen and Media, Commercial Cookery, and Hospitality. Off-campus courses comprised Business, Automotive Servicing, Construction, Early Childhood Education, Animal Care, Fashion, Information Technology, Electrotechnology, and Dance.

“VET is a great way to try on a course for size or kickstart your career while still at school,” Mrs McDonald said.