The system has been installed by Clipsal Platinum Partner Dawson Communications and has been designed with energy efficiency and safety in mind. The electrical products were installed by Tip Top Electrical.

“This donation allows us to keep our energy usage to a minimum, as well as allowing us to deactivate all workshop equipment in an emergency,” says St Paul’s College Trade Training Centre Manager Shane Gubbin.

The Clipsal C-Bus control system automatically turns off all lights in the Trade Training Centre once the school’s alarm system has been activated. Lighting in the classrooms and common areas is only turned on when someone is detected by the sensors in the room, and exterior lighting is controlled through light level detecting sensors. Emergency shut down buttons are located around the workshop area, and activation of any of these will cut power to the area, while leaving the lighting on.

Available for use by other Catholic and independent schools in South Australia’s North Eastern suburbs, particularly Rostrevor College, Kildare College and Blackfriars Priory School, the centre will be used by students to build their skills in areas such as carpentry, joinery and tiling. Around 120 students are expected to complete the nationally accredited courses at the centre in 2012, clocking up around 400 hours of practical skills, including a work placement.

“For a lot of kids, this is a good pathway through school,” Shane says.

“For those looking at a career in the trade industry it provides a good grounding and allows them to experience the sector.”

The Trade Training Centre has been built following the opportunities available through the Commonwealth of Australia’s Trade Training Centres for School’s programme, through the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

The energy efficient technologies installed at the building have helped it to achieve a 5-star Green Star rating.