Students from across Victoria descended on Winton Motor Raceway to be inspired by a range of hands-on career opportunities on Thursday, August 15.
The annual Hands on Trades Career Expo, run by NE Tracks LLEN, featured more than 50 organisations which offer pathways into future employment and took the time to talk to students about what they do.
Cobram Anglican Grammar School students Amelia Levy, Sylar Altorn, Owen Woolley and Andy Surplice spoke to the Courier about their experience.
Owen said it had been a really good day.
“I mostly went around and checked everything out,” he said.
“I think I learnt a bit. But I really enjoyed it, it’s been fun.”
Andy said he was mainly interested in all exhibits in the sheds, and avoided high-risk activities like the tree climbing.
“I really enjoyed it. It was a really good day overall, and got to spend the day hanging out with my friends.”
Amelia said the day had opened her eyes to different careers she didn’t realise she would like.
“I really liked the IT and the engineering exhibits,” she said.
“They were really interesting. I didn’t expect to like as much as I did. It’s been really inspiring.
Sylar said he loved the tree climbing.
“It was fun,” he said.
“And apparently I was quicker than one of the guys who works there, so maybe I have a future in that type of job.”
Organiser Annette Borradale said more than 1500 students from Seymour to Albury, Echuca to Swiss Creek and everywhere in between attended.
“We have heaps of different types of exhibitors here today. Everything from plumbing to electrical, North East Tree Service are here, Thales, Police, ADF, CFA, Forest Fire Management Victoria, Extons, LS Quarry, GOTAFE and much more,” Ms Borradale said.
Ms Borradale said the feedback from students had been great.
“Most of them have been overwhelmed with how much variety there’s been,” she said.
“It's not just been focused all towards your typical hands-on trades.
“They had nursing, childcare. We've had tech companies, we've had virtual reality, heaps of different displays.
“I think the students have been very impressed with it all.”
Ms Borradale said one of the things that has pleased organisers this year is how many students brought their resumes along.
“It’s brilliant,” she said.
“They've actually been handing them out to the organisations that they're interested in working for.
“And a lot of these companies offer school-based apprenticeships, so I’m sure a few of them will get something from doing that.”
One of the well-visited exhibitors was Woop Woop Walkabout Tours operated by Butchulla woman Avalon Karatau.
She spoke to students about the Aboriginal heritage of the area, and further afield.
“We do school programs, among a lot of other things,” she said.
“We teach spirituality, about our tools, and our laws.
“We have fun games to show them, that people have forgotten because they don't play them any more
“We teach them about cooking, and offer classes on that.
Ms Karatau said as a Butchulla woman from K’Gari (Fraser Island) who had been displaced from her land due to cyclones, she was proud to be in Winton supporting the Yorta Yorta nation.
“I hope everyone had a deadly day,” she said.
The emergency services demonstrations were some of the most popular, and Ben Meritt, from Forest Fire Management Victoria, said students had really embraced the day.
“They've been interested in looking at both our project firefighter summer roles and finding out more about future work opportunities, after school,” he said.
“It's been a really good opportunity to show kids what we do and also a bit of fire safety as well.”
Mr Meritt also took the opportunity to remind readers of the Courier that fire safety is always important, especially as summer gets closer.
“Around half our fires are still coming from camp fires,” he said.
He said people should remember to put camp fires out with at least two buckets of water, not by kicking dirt on top.
Find out more about what NE Tracks LLEN does, and how to get involved with next year's expo via www.netracksllen.org.au/