By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A tour of the innovative Hallam Senior College has impressed a group of local manufacturers.
On 5 May, South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) members toured the college while enjoying food prepared by the campus’s hospitality students.
The manufacturers got a first-hand look at the school’s initiatives, such as its Innovation Academy promoting ‘higher-level’ engineering, IT and science.
Not to mention the college’s other academies that offer career pathways in sport and creative arts.
SEMMA chief executive Vonda Fenwick said the college was “developing the young people our manufacturers need” to join an “exciting manufacturing sector”.
“With careers, not just jobs available, manufacturing offers life-long workplace opportunities.
“Unlike sectors such as retail, manufacturing offers mainly full-time, long term positions.
“Most manufacturers managed to continue to operate even during periods of COVID lockdown providing a level of security not found in hospitality, tourism and retail.”
Ms Fenwick was impressed by the college’s “inspiring” work and its staff’s “enthusiasm and energy”.
“The training opportunities and the passion demonstrated in supporting and guiding the students into meaningful career pathways are inspiring.”
Hallam Senior College business manager Jason Patten said SEMMA was helping the college to identify skills shortages in the South East.
The college would in turn tailor its training to tackle those missing skill sets.
“We’re trying to open the school up to industry so we can better tie in with industry and find them job-ready graduates.
“And provide opportunities for jobs, apprenticeships and training opportunities for our students.”
The college – which says it’s “much more than a senior secondary college” – trains more than 200 students in Certificate II and III qualifications.
It is also proactively pursuing partnerships with manufacturers – such as a pre-employment course for job seekers to gain work at Jayco.
“We’re trying to expose our community to the benefits that a senior secondary college can offer,” Mr Patten says.
In the meantime, SEMMA plans to hold its next board meeting at the college. Students are again expected to cater for the event.
