Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE

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Getting a taste for the future

To assist Year 10 students make an informed decision about their future, the Shepparton Technical Education Centre (TEC) has developed a set of 'Taster' programs aimed to give students a taste of a vocational and technical career.

For the next 10 weeks 44 students, mostly in Year 10, from Shepparton and surrounding areas, will participate in the inaugural TEC Tasters.

Students have been divided into six taster programs of their interest, including Automotive,Building, Furnishing, Plumbing,Horticulture and Engineering.

Shepparton TEC Coordinator, Vaughan Patullock said most of these students have a fair indication of what they want to do with their future.

"Students were given the option to split up their time to study five weeks of one subject and five of another. However, most of them had a pretty good idea of what they wanted to do and have opted to take up a 10 week taster in the industry sector of their choice."

Mr Pattulock said so far the students have been engaged in the programs and seem to be getting a lot out of it, even in their first day of study. "The Shepparton TEC is hands-on applied learning and this is what the students have experienced so far."

"Already they have worked on projects and models; some have even taken home finished products such as stools and protractors."

At 16 years old, Numurkah High School student Corey Figallo knows that his future is in the light vehicle automotive industry. After discussing his future with his parents, Corey is confident that he will enrol in the Shepparton TEC next year.

"I haven't had any experience in working with cars in the past. In my first day I've looked at where stuff is under the bonnet and how it all works, plus we learnt a bit about cooling systems," he said.

Secondary schools are noticing a significant demand from students seeking alternative pathways to work and further study. This is placing enormous pressure on the schools and parents in assisting today's youth explore career and educational opportunities.

The TEC Tasters will help students experience which pathway they want to take without having to commit to a lifetime choice and additional expense.

For more information on the Shepparton TEC call 1300 GOTAFE (468233) or www.tec.edu.au