On Friday 2 August, VU Polytechnic hosted 280 students from Werribee Secondary College, Laverton P-12 College and Catholic Regional College Melton for the inaugural VET Discovery Day at Werribee East Campus. Students participated in industry-based learning activities and engaged with industry partners.
The theme of the day was: “The Future is Now: Discover how VET can work for you”. Students engaged in hands-on activities including a hairdressing braid bar, coding robots, computer-assisted drawing, 3D printing and engineering and trades activities.
Students explored the wide range of vocational education and training courses available including bricklaying, coding, hairdressing, plumbing, engineering, electrical, massage, community health, early childhood and sport and recreation.
The event kicked-off with a presentation on the Foundation for Young Australians research on job clusters which allowed students to understand how TAFE courses align to jobs in demand.
Students learned more about skills that current employers are looking for, discovered VU Polytechnic’s unique blended learning model and new initiatives that include the Cybersecurity Training Centre, Sunshine Skills Hub, industry partnerships and the VU Way.
An employer speed dating event as an interactive opportunity for students to talk to experts about jobs in their areas of interest. The event allowed students to interact with industry partners from Victoria Police, Evolve IT, Defence Force, Hairdresser Erin Boyd, East West Electrical, Reece Plumbing, West Gate Tunnel Project, and Bunnings.
The day concluded with industry presentations. John Doig from Reece Plumbing shared his journey in the plumbing industry and Fiona Lawrie, Director of Trades Women Australia discussed the career options for women in trades.
Note: As of 2021, the blended learning model is now known as the interactive e-learning model.