The Port Augusta Australian Technical College campus opened in February this year, and students are keen to learn more about how to work in a trade.

Sean Morris, 16, and Jordan Oakes, 15, have both started at the college this year to work on school-based apprenticeships while doing their SACE at Caritas College.

"It'll help with an apprenticeship and trade in the future," Sean said.

"There are more opportunities and a better range of options."

Jordan said he was studying at the college to help him gain a trade as a diesel mechanic.

"This way I can finish school and get a trade at the same time," he said.

So far this year the students have been studying trade maths and community studies.

The years 11 and 12 students spend half their school time at their normal school and the rest at ATC working on school-based apprenticeships.

ATC principal Damien Judd said there were advantages for local employers taking on a school-based apprentice.

"They are more likely to stay with the employer when they finish school ... and they only need to be employed part-time," he said.

Mr Judd said the ATC was particularly important for this region.

"The whole area is expanding ... there is a shortage of skills," he said.

"It's part of a long-term plan to have skilled workers."

Local companies need to expand now to take advantage of the growth, he said.

The Port Augusta campus offers apprenticeships in automotive, electro-technology, metals and engineering, commercial cookery and building and construction.

It currently has about 20 students enrolled, and will eventually take students from 85 per cent of the state.

There are 25 colleges in Australia, and three in South Australia.