Some will likely lose their apprenticeships, while the others will have to start their qualifications again.

It is a situation that has left them unhappy - and keen to see the school kept open next year.

Carpentry student Alex Schreuder, 16, said Prime Minister Kevin Rudd had encouraged young people to study trades to prevent another skills shortage.

"Why shut down a trade school that's doing exactly that?" she said.

The State Government has already said it will absorb the technical college students into the Tasmanian Polytechnic and Skills Institute, but it's not a solution that appeals to the students.

Automotive student Brad Bird, 17, said the college had suited him perfectly, with its mix of practical work and TCE-accredited theory.

"I came here because I'm not the kind of person who likes to sit down all the time at a school desk," he said.

"They build a college ... and not even 12 months later they're shutting it down."

Unfortunately for the year- 11 students who have spent almost a year working towards their TCE and qualifications, they look like they will leave the school with nothing.

The TCE subjects, including maths, English and science, were spread over two years to allow for time to do practical work and work placement.

So year-11 students forced to change schools won't be able to count most of the work they've done.

The students had a couple of people to blame for the technical college's demise.

"The Federal Government," Alex said.

Electro-tech student Brad Garwood, 17, said the Catholic Education Office should have been clearer about what it intended to do with the college.

"They were running it and then they just pulled the plug," he said.

"They're partly to blame because they provided false hope."

Parents have also been left confused, and now have to help their children look for alternatives.