Rev your engines, these students are ready to rumble
Eight Rockhampton high school students have celebrated earning their Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation, delivered through CQUniversity’s Start TAFE Now program.
The graduating students hailed from various alternative education institutions throughout the Rockhampton region, including Carinity Education, Rockhampton PCYC and the Rockhampton Flexible Learning Centre.
Now equipped with the necessary skills and training, the cohort is ready to embark on further training and even enter the workforce, with one student already gaining an automotive apprenticeship.
Course teaching staff said the group showed tremendous dedication to completing their studies and gaining new skills.
“The students have been in attendance in our training for two days a week over an 18-week period and have worked hard in building their skills and knowledge in automotive mechanical and automotive electrical trade pathways,” CQUniversity Automotive Teacher Andrew McMahon said.
“For some, the completion of the course has helped them to realise a career pathway in the automotive industry and for others it has helped them to identify new skills and training pathways in other disciplines.”
Automotive Teams Head of Course Chris Wasiak said programs like Start TAFE Now were important to build upon and to encourage increased engagement with learning for students from all backgrounds.
“Building rapport with our community is vital and it is important to provide flexible pathways to study and training for students from all backgrounds,” Mr Wasiak said.
“Young people learn in different ways, and we find that many young people benefit and engage more deeply in the practical and interactive nature of this course.
“The course provides foundational skills in automotive that will benefit them if they progress within the industry or even after they start driving and own their own cars.”
Students commented on how much they enjoyed being able to forge strong connections with each other amongst the cohort, and remarked that the learning experience had invaluably set them up for their futures with many eager to gain apprenticeships and kickstart work as mechanics after school.
Student Cloe Brookes said she was proud of the efforts the cohort had made over the 18 weeks.
She's now looking forward to commencing her new apprenticeship.
“I’ve got my future in front of me and I can see it, and I can touch it – it has felt so good to be able to accomplish something big like this,” Cloe said.
Find out more about CQUniversity’s Start TAFE Now program here.
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