Students enjoy new ‘Jobs Around Us’
September 12, 2009
Year 10 students at Neerim District Secondary College have been getting a close up look at the range of industries and jobs available right on their doorstep.
‘Jobs Around Us‘ is a new initiative launched by Education Centre Gippsland Local Community Partnership (ECG LCP) which involves taking students on tours of local businesses and industries across West Gippsland and Latrobe.
Coordinator of the program ECG LCP’S Julie Hackman said the first program conducted over 8 weeks had seen students visit nine key businesses and organisations to see industries in action and speak to people involved in various job roles.
“Many rural students do not live close to town and may not be aware of the range of industries available locally. This project aims to expose students to various careers and industry sectors and possible transition pathways available to them.”
Managing Director of Rubbertough Industries at Warragul Brett Evans opened students’ eyes to the range of business possibilities involved in recycling truck tyres to produce products that are sold across Australia and overseas. The company employs a range of staff from labourers to trades people who have the opportunity to travel while they work.
Students also toured Modra Technology where they received a presentation from Manufacturing Manager Peter Mudie and saw the wide range of job occupations involved in that business.
An interactive session with trainers, field officers and a young apprentice at Apprentices Group Australia (AGA) helped to increase students understanding of apprenticeships and the intake process.
They visited Ron Paynters Dairy Farm at Ellinbank, the Fonterra factory at Darnum, Powerworks in the Latrobe Valley, and Allform Industries, a sheet metal engineering business. The tour also took in ECG’s McMillan campus to see pathways into the horticulture industry, as well as Gumbuya Park, and Headspace.
Mike Jungwirth from Neerim District Secondary College said the tour was a great way to get students out and connect them with local industry.
“To have a tour coordinated for us through ECG LCP is a tremendous resource for the school to draw upon and we hope the experience will help students as they prepare to make important career decisions over the next year or so.”
Julie Hackman said the ‘Jobs Around Us’ project would be extended to other local schools in the region.
From left: Rubbertough Industries Managing Director Brett Evans, ECG LCP’s Julie Hackman, Mike Jungwirth of Neerim District Secondary College,.Rubbertough trainee Kim Delaney, Dean Moore, Lochie Van Poppel, Shane Brown, Aaron MacDonald, Rubbertough’s Nick Jephson.
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