In a move designed to address long term skill shortages in the Echuca Moama region, Campaspe Cohuna LLEN and Committee for Echuca Moama (C4EM) have brought together young people, education and engineering industry professionals to talk about local pathway opportunities into engineering.
Sixty Year 10 and Year 11 students from St Joseph’s College Echuca, Moama Anglican Grammar and Echuca College visited two local manufacturers; Foodmach and Byford Equipment, to see world-leading innovation firsthand. Students then went on to visit the once-in-a-lifetime Echuca-Moama Bridge Project hosted by Senior Project Manager Jason Warren from Major Road Projects Victoria.
Students heard from a diverse range of business owners, engineers, apprentice fabricators, computer coding specialists and project management professionals about the alternative education pathways and job opportunities that lead into an engineering career in the local region. Students also learnt more about Industry 4.0, mechatronics, robotics and industry diversification to keep apace with industry changes.
“I learnt that there are companies in Echuca Moama that are world class and can be potential career paths into the future” commented one student after completing the tour.
“I learnt that there are a lot of different pathways that will lead you to the same job, you don’t always have to go to Uni” noted another.
CEO of C4EM; Nina O’Brien stated “Like everywhere, we need more engineers in the Echuca Moama region. Rather than lamenting about how many of our young people leave the region, we are giving them reasons to stay, or maintain links to home while they study. These are our engineers, apprentice fabricators, automation specialists and project managers of tomorrow.”
The engineering immersion day was coordinated by C4EM, Campaspe Cohuna LLEN, and the local Careers Teacher Network, made possible by the generous donation of time by staff from Foodmach, Byford Equipment and Major Road Projects Victoria.
Student transport was assisted through the valuable support of the Loddon Campaspe Student Access Program delivered through the Victorian Department of Transport. Campaspe Cohuna LLEN provided lunch and protective equipment for students and accompanying teachers.
October 2019
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