Days of wine and engineering

Partnerships between schools and industry around Mildura in western Victoria are giving students insights and possible entrées into careers in winemaking and engineering.

Regional Industry Career Adviser Pat Hamdorf has used her local knowledge and contacts to initiate relationships between Sunraysia district schools and Lindemans Wines, and between Irymple Secondary College and local firm A&G Engineering.

Hands-on engineering projects

Under the Adopt a School program, delivered through the Local Community Partnership, A&G Engineering is giving Irymple Secondary College students information, advice and hands-on experience about careers in the engineering trades, where there is a local skills shortage.

Activities offered to students include tours of the workplace, work experience placements, industry guest speakers and supervised hands-on engineering projects.

College Principal Robert Biggs has welcomed the joint venture. ‘It will engage students in authentic learning by working with a recognised professional engineering group in the design and construction of worthwhile projects in our school community,’ he said. ‘The partnership is a powerful one and will have positive, long-term outcomes for our students.’

Projects planned for 2007 include designing and building a weather shelter over drinking fountains at the college, creating sculptures using stainless steel, and constructing racquetball nets and other sporting items for primary schools in the Sunraysia area.

From wine labels to apprenticeships

The relationship between schools and Lindemans Wines is the result of six months of discussion and planning between Pat and Lindemans’ human resource manager, Louise Williams. The project is managed by Local Community Partnership coordinator, Maree Jones.

‘The wine industry is one of the most exciting industries to work in,’ Louise says. ‘Our purpose in establishing a partnership with the local schools network is to provide Sunraysia’s young people with first-hand knowledge of the many career options available.’

Members of the Sunraysia Careers Association started the ball rolling with a tour of Lindemans’ Karadoc winery. Following activities include student work placements and school-based apprenticeships; a mentoring program and school visits by winery personnel; and specific projects such as vine pruning, laboratory analysis of wines, occupational health and safety risk assessments, and designing a wine label.

Contact

Pat Hamdorf
Ph: 03 5021 1611