1 December 2020

An innovative TAFE NSW program aimed at building the foundations of a career in construction for a group of local high school students has been hailed an overwhelming success.

For a day a week over the past month, more than 20 Year 10 students from Deniliquin High School and Barham High School attended TAFE NSW Deniliquin for the construction “taste test”, designed to help young people transition from school into the workforce.

Delivered at TAFE NSW Deniliquin’s state-of-the-art Connected Learning Centre, the course was supported by a brand new construction Mobile Training Unit, a type of “rolling classroom” equipped with an array of materials and tools for different industries.

TAFE NSW Head Teacher of Construction Andy Nichols said it was rewarding to watch the students’ personal and skills growth over the month.

“TAFE NSW is a real adult learning environment and these students experienced the difference between school and vocational education,” Mr Nichols said.

“We were able to bridge that gap between the theory students learn at school and the reality of how you apply it on the job; things like using trigonometry when you cut rafters.”

Delivered as part of the Youth Engagement Strategy (YES) program, the course gave students hands-on, practical experience in using many of the common building tools, and allowed them to each construct a timber chair.

Mr Nichols said the group included two school-based apprentices and he said a number of other participants were now eyeing a career in construction.

Deniliquin High School principal Glen Warren said the program was an example of the opportunities afforded to rural and regional high school students through TAFE NSW.

“It’s important rural students have access to opportunities like this and the TAFE NSW program provided that,” Mr Warren said.

“It’s great for these students to be able to develop links with industry and TAFE NSW while still at school.”

To find out more about studying at TAFE NSW Deniliquin, phone 13 16 01 or visit www.tafensw.edu.au

Media contact: Daniel Johns, TAFE NSW Media and Communications – Business Partner, 6938 1441, mobile 0477 722 428.