Course Overview

Much of Australia’s economic, social and cultural development can be related to the capacity of our industries to develop and use technology in the manufacture of goods and services. The effective and responsible application of industrial technologies has a direct bearing upon the quality of our lives. For this reason, the study of industrial technology and its role in industry is relevant and purposeful for many students.

The subject provides students with a choice of different focus area industries, through which they can study the course. These focus areas have been chosen to cover a wide range of potentially accessible and locally available technologies.

Industrial Technology has been developed to incorporate content related to current and developing technologies. It offers students the opportunity to study the interrelationships of technologies, equipment and materials used by industry and to develop skills through the processes of design, planning and production.

At St Edward’s students are able to choose from these focus areas:

• Multimedia Technology
• Timber Products and Furniture Technologies
• Graphics Technology

Main Topics Covered

Preliminary Course

Industrial Technology seeks to raise students’ awareness of the interaction between technology, industry, society and the environment, and to develop their ability to make value judgements about issues, decisions and problems arising from this interaction. Students achieve this by applying practical experiences to the study of the technology, management and organisation of industry.

The following sections are taught in relation to the relevant focus area:

Study of the organisation and management of an individual business within the focus area.
Design and plan projects through the completion of associated folios, including elements of design.
Manage work through the completion of a management folio linked to each project produced.

Higher School Certificate Course

Industrial Technology at Stage 6 is designed to develop in students a knowledge and understanding of the selected industry and its related technologies with an emphasis on design, management and production through practical applications.

The following sections are taught in relation to the relevant focus area through the development of a Major Project and a Study of the relevant focus area:

• Experience in designing, managing and communicating the development of their Major Project.
• Application of design principles in the production of the Major Project, including idea generation and design development.
• Application of management and communication skills to produce a related folio justifying choices made through the Major Project.
• Knowledge and understanding of the focus area industry and of manufacturing processes and techniques used by industry.
• Knowledge and skills through the construction of a Major Project which reflects, quality, evidence of a range of skills and degree of difficulty.

Course Overview

This course is for students who wish to pursue a career in the construction industry; or simply learn some practical life skills. The course is based on units of competency developed by the construction industry to describe the skills and knowledge needed by workers in this industry.

The course incorporates ten core units plus a range of elective units from the General Construction and Civil Construction sectors.

Students may develop a general program of study across many industry sectors. Mandatory 70 hour work placement allows students a first hand experience across many industry sectors.

Main Topics Covered:

• The core Units of Competency represent the basic skills, knowledge and attitudes required by all workers within the construction industry. Students need to develop and exhibit these competencies throughout the entire course. These core units of competency focus on developing and refining the skills required to work effectively within the industry. The core Units of Competency specifically address industry awareness, communicating with others, planning for work, quality principles, working safely and introductory tools and techniques.

The electives available in the course complement these competencies by providing a range of practical and technical skills.

• This is a competency based course. This requires students to develop the competencies, skills and knowledge described by each “Unit of Competency.” A student must demonstrate to a qualified assessor that they can effectively carry out the various tasks and combinations of tasks listed to the standard required in the appropriate industry, to be assessed as competent.
• There is no mark awarded in competency based assessment. Students are assessed as either ‘competent’ or ‘not yet competent’.
• Students are progressively assessed as ‘competent’ or ‘not yet competent’ in individual Units of Competency. When a student achieves a Unit of Competency, it is signed off by the assessor in a Competency Record Book.
• Competency based assessment determines the vocational qualification that a student receives.

External Assessment: Higher School Certificate Examination

• The Higher School Certificate examination for Construction (240 hours) involves a written examination made up of multiple-choice, short answer and extended response items.
• The questions are drawn from the core Units of Competency.

The examination is independent of the competency based assessment undertaken during the course and has no impact on the eligibility of a student to receive Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications.

Qualifications:

Students who are assessed as competent through competency based assessment in all units of competency in Construction (240 hours) may be eligible for the AQF Certificate I and partial accreditation for AQF Certificate II in Construction.

Course Overview

Engineering Studies Stage 6 is directed towards the application and advancement of skills associated with mathematics, science and technology and is integrated with business and management. It will provide students with skills, knowledge and understanding associated with a study of engineering, its practices and associated methodologies. The subject promotes environmental, economic and global-awareness, problem-solving ability, engagement with information technology, self-directed learning, communication, management and skills in working as a team.

Engineering Studies Stage 6 is unique in that it develops knowledge and understanding of the profession of engineering. It also provides an opportunity to integrate the science and mathematics disciplines with societal development and change. The syllabus is inclusive of the needs, interests and aspirations of all students and provides opportunities and challenges to deal with engineering concepts.

Students undertaking Engineering Studies will have the opportunity to follow a number of pathways. These include tertiary, vocational education and training, and the world of work. For those following a pathway of further study, the insight and experience associated with a study of engineering will be beneficial in their presumed knowledge of the area of study. Those going into the world of work will benefit from understanding what engineers do, as the work of engineers affects us all.

Preliminary Course

Students undertake the following study. Four compulsory modules:

• Engineering Fundamentals
• Engineered Products
• Braking Systems
• Biomedical Engineering

Higher School Certificate Course

Students undertake the following study.

Four compulsory modules:

• Civil Structures
• Personal and Public Transport
• Aeronautical Engineering
• Telecommunication Engineering

Particular Course Requirements

There is no prerequisite for the 2 Unit Preliminary Course, however students should have a strong understanding of Mathematics, with a particular emphasis on the areas of Trigonometry and Scientific Notation.

Course Overview

In Metals and Engineering students produce a variety of projects and skill based exercises in the main areas of Metal Machining, Fabrication and Welding. Emphasis is based on sound Engineering principles and OH&S.

The subject promotes environmental, economic and global-awareness, problem-solving ability, engagement with information technology, self-directed learning, communication, management and skills in working as a team.

The study of Metal and Engineering gives students the opportunity to gain credit towards the NSW Higher School Certificate (HSC) and credit towards national vocational qualifications for the Metal and Engineering Industry under the Australian Qualifications Framework. This course offers qualifications from Certificate I onward and specifies competencies required for various specialized occupations. These include mechanical, fabrication; production technology and production systems; jewellery manufacture; locksmithing; boating services; and marine craft construction. Their qualifications can be used in traineeships and apprenticeships in the Manufacturing, Engineering and related services Industries which students may pursue post-school. Students must complete 70 hours of work placement.

Competency Assessment:

This is a competency based course. This requires students to develop the competencies, skills and knowledge described by each “Unit of Competency.” A student must demonstrate to a qualified assessor that they can effectively carry out the various tasks and combinations of tasks listed to the standard required in the appropriate industry, to be assessed as competent.

There is no mark awarded in competency based assessment. Students are assessed as either ‘competent’ or ‘not yet competent’.

Students are progressively assessed as ‘competent’ or ‘not yet competent’ in individual Units of Competency. When a student achieves a Unit of Competency, it is signed off by the assessor in a Competency Record Book.

Competency based assessment determines the vocational qualification that a student receives.

External Assessment: Higher School Certificate Examination

The Higher School Certificate examination for Metals & Engineering (240 hours) involves an optional written examination made up of multiple-choice, short answer and extended response items.

The questions are drawn from the core Units of Competency. The examination is independent of the competency based assessment undertaken during the course and has no impact on the eligibility of a student to receive Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications.

Topics Covered

Preliminary Course

Students undertake the following compulsory study.

• Apply principles in WH&S
• Manufacturing, Engineering and related services Industries Induction
• Interpret Technical Drawings
• Engineering Measurements & Calculations
• Planning Routine Tasks
• Apply quality systems & procedures
• Working in a related environment.
• Use hand tools
• Use power tools/hand held operations

Higher School Certificate Course

Students undertake a mix of the following study.

• Apply principles in WH&S
• Assembly
• Fabrication
• Machine and Process Operation
• Materials Handling
• Measurement
• Communication

Maintenance and Diagnostics

Particular Course Requirements:

There is no prerequisite for the Preliminary Course. Completion of the Preliminary Course is a prerequisite to studying the HSC Course.

Qualifications

Students who are assessed as competent through competency based assessment in all units of competency in Metals and Engineering (240 hours) may be eligible for the AQF Certificate I and partial accreditation for AQF Certificate II in Metals and Engineering.