February 2009 

Think: Education Group Acquires Leading Vocational Design College

• Commercial Arts Training College (CATC) latest acquisition for Australia's fastest growing private tertiary education group.
• Think: Education Group drives growth via national campus network and newcourses

The acquisition marks the national expansion of Think, which has become one of Australia’s leading private tertiary education groups through the acquisition, growth and development of high-quality education businesses.

Established in 1982, CATC is a leading vocational education and training provider of Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses in graphic design, interior decoration and design, visual merchandising and multimedia. The college operates from an extensive campus network in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Surfers Paradise.

“We are delighted to have CATC join the Think: Education Group. The college’s broad portfolio of industry-relevant, nationally-accredited design courses has helped it build an excellent industry reputation and national profile. Furthermore, CATC’s extensive distance learning programs align well with our significant investment in flexible and online learning,” says Mark Rohald, Group CEO of Think: Education Group.

“The CATC brand and its specialisation in vocational design education strongly complements Think’s Billy Blue College of Design, which concentrates on higher education for the design industry.

“Now, as part of Think, CATC will have access to a larger support team and infrastructure to provide further opportunities for its students, graduates and staff. CATC’s dedicated management team will continue to work with Think to ensure their outstanding design education knowledge and experience is retained,” Mr Rohald explains.

“A portfolio of new programs will soon be launched and delivered across CATC campuses nationally,” Mr Rohald adds.

Heath Fitzpatrick, head of CATC in Brisbane, Melbourne and the Gold Coast, says the acquisition will allow CATC to achieve further growth and provide greater opportunity for its students and graduates.

“Starting as a family-run business, we have built CATC to a point where it is now ready to take on significant growth. In our discussions with Think, it became clear to us that the Group has the expertise and investment capability to take CATC to the next stage; supporting and realising its potential.

“Culturally, Think and its colleges share CATC’s commitment to delivering exceptional graduate outcomes through teaching excellence and industry engagement,” explains Mr Fitzpatrick.

Geraldine Van Os, Principal of CATC in Sydney, says joining Think: Education Group will provide a pathway for students to transition from vocational to higher education.

“We are delighted to be part of Think: Education Group and in particular look forward to a close relationship with Billy Blue. Our students will now have access to a seamless transition from vocational to higher education and an extended industry network.

“The relationship will also allow CATC to expand our programs and delivery channels, as we work closely with Think to launch new courses and establish a wider national network of campuses,” says Ms Van Os.

The existing management of CATC will remain and will be supported by the wider Think Group services team.