Students from Point Cook Senior, The Grange and Bayside P-12 colleges can train to be diesel mechanics while still at school after a Laverton company donated two diesel engines to a new trades training centre.
International diesel engine-maker Cummins donated the engines – one of which is a fully operational training module – as part of its training partnership with the schools.
The company is also offering work experience and school-based apprenticeships.
The program, brokered by the Wyn Bay Local Learning and Employment Network, will provide year 10 students with one week of work experience at Cummins, while year 11 students will take part in a structured workplace learning program.
Year 12 students will be able to do an apprenticeship at Cummins while finishing school studies.
Current apprentices will visit the schools to talk to students about their experiences as diesel mechanics.
Apprentice program manager Kate Evans said Cummins hoped the donation of the engines would encourage more students to become diesel mechanics.
“Our aim is influence the career pathways of students and recruit some of them directly to Cummins’ apprentice program,” she said.
“The new trade training centre at Point Cook provides the ideal opportunity for [current apprentices] to connect with students in a training environment.’’
Point Cook Secondary principal Greg Sperling said he hoped the program would encourage more students to finish year 12.
“We find with other vocational education and training studies that kids often need a hook to stay at school,’’ he said.
“If we get kids into the course in year 10, they can complete a certificate II in year 11 and still do a full VCE load in year 12.”
