LOCAL students spent a day with engineering and education professionals recently in a bid to address long-term skill shortages in Echuca-Moama.
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More than 60 Year 10 and 11 students from St Joseph's College, Moama Anglican Grammar and Echuca College recently visited local manufacturers Foodmach and Byford Equipment.
Organised by Committee for Echuca Moama (C4EM), the tours aimed to give the students an opportunity to see world-leading innovation firsthand.
While also giving them a glimpse of the available pathways into engineering, right here on students' doorsteps.
The group then got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the 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.
Giving them an insight into the alternative education pathways and job opportunities available for an engineering career in the local area.
Students also learnt more about Industry 4.0, mechatronics, robotics and industry diversification to keep apace with industry changes.
“Like everywhere, we need more engineers in the Echuca-Moama region,” C4EM chief executive Nina O’Brien said.
“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 Local Learning and Employment Network (CCLLEN), 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 to each venue was made possible through the valuable support of the Loddon Campaspe Student Access Program delivered through the Victorian Department of Transport.