A new training program has been designed to lower youth unemployment in Wyndham and Hobsons Bay while addressing a national skills shortage.
Students from Point Cook Senior College, The Grange P-12 College and Bayside College will be offered work experience and school-based apprenticeships with international diesel engine-maker Cummins.
The program, organised by the WynBay Local Learning and Employment Network, will provide year 10 students with one week of work experience at Cummins’ Laverton site.
Year 11 students like Jaydon will take part in a structured workplace learning program, while year 12 students will be able to do an apprenticeship at Cummins while finishing school studies.
The company’s current apprentices will visit the schools to talk to students about their experiences as diesel mechanics.
Cummins apprentices program manager Kate Evans said the program would help create a pipeline of skilled workers, addressing a national shortfall.
Students will develop their skills at Point Cook Senior College’s diesel trades training centre, due to open next year.
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.
‘‘They’ll be here with the objective of completing that certificate.
“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.”
Latest federal government unemployment figures show one in five young people in Wyndham and Hobsons Bay is out of work.
