8 minute read
BOARDROOM
Borrow. Your. DELIBERATELY DIFFERENT. Boardroom.
AITC INITIATIVE HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION IN INDUSTRY
The AITC prides itself on being deliberately different. This statement relates to how education is delivered to ensure that the AITC’s students are learning beyond the normal classroom environment.
This year a new initiative was launched by the Australian Industry Trade College (AITC). This initiative provides young people with the opportunity to contextualise their learning in the world of work. Businesses have given up their boardroom for the unique concept, Borrow your Boardroom (BYB), which emphasises the importance of education in industry.
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Education First At Llewellyn Motors
The first BYB began in May when Year 10 students from AITC’s Ipswich campus went to Llewellyn Motors, Booval. Using the backdrop of Llewellyn’s boardroom their AITC teacher, Sonia Peacey, integrated their core subjects into the evolving motoring environment.
Sonia explains there is a huge benefit in bringing education into a business environment. “They were really switched on and engaged having their environment changed. I’m also hoping this will help our young people consider their choices carefully and think more about their place in industry as Year 10 rookies about to embark on their career journey.”
Dave Breeze, Regional Industry Officer (Western), from the AITC has been working on the multi-faceted BYB concept over the past three years. “Borrow your Boardroom is helping our young people understand that, to be successful in industry, they need to finish off their education. This means completing their Year 12 and graduating with their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE).”
That’s why BYB isn’t a regular industry excursion— it’s meant to inspire and encourage young people and contextualise their learning. “They have a networking opportunity with industry after finishing their classwork. It’s beneficial for young people to hear from industry leaders about their expectations and getting insight into the world of work,” explains Dave. For rookies who haven’t been out to work experience yet, this lifts the curtain so young people can see the different parts of a big industry.
Brody Russell, Year 10, believes BYB provides a great opportunity for a different learning experience. “We looked at the science of car safety during our boardroom activity. It was interesting to apply the things we’d learnt in the classroom, such as force, momentum —and understanding how this science is used in motor industries. Especially in the future of keeping people safe on the roads,” says Brody.
Apart from being engaged in a different learning environment BYB also helps young people understand different career opportunities and expectations. “When you drive past a car dealership you don’t see the variety of jobs behind the walls. There’s mechanics, salespeople, marketing, administration. There are more job opportunities than you think.”
Brody says after the visit to Llewellyn’s he realises how important education is to industry. “It’s important to finish Year 12. Companies won’t look at you unless you graduate. Today really gave me the extra motivation and inspiration to keep going. You need your QCE to get a job.”
Launching BYB now is the perfect time because unfortunately, “there is a pull from some employers to take young people out of education to go full time,” explains Dave. “We’re trying to counter that message by saying education comes first and education matters. The more we can get out to industry to support that message with great employers like Llewellyn’s the better it is for young people and industry in the long term.”
Another advantage of BYB is that it helps with character development. “Our young people excel in industry,” says Dave. “It’s also helpful for them to understand the importance of consistency. This means having the same attitude and drive towards education. Consistency is key in becoming successful and employable in industry.”
Hospitality insight with Jets Leagues Club
Jets Leagues Club hosted the Ipswich Year 10 Rookies class for the AITC Borrow your Boardroom initiative. The classroom was swapped for an industry setting to complete College work. This supports AITC’s key messages on the importance of education for young people in the world of work. This also allowed our Rookies to get a glimpse into the hospitality industry. Jets has been a valued supporter and partner of the AITC for many years with several apprentices still working at the club, young people doing work experience, and an invitation for more young people from the AITC to apply.
DELIBERATELY DIFFERENT.
blueprint australian industry trade college
Endless opportunities with B&R Enclosures
As part of the AITC’s unique BYB concept Year 11 business VET students from the Ipswich campus attended an insightful excursion to B&R Enclosures.
During the BYB experience students entered the real world of industry to contextualise their learning in another organisation’s boardroom. In addition to BYB at B&R, students toured the Australian, family-owned business which allowed them to learn about the amazing job opportunities within this remarkable company. The business encompasses product divisions: industrial, Data ICT, hazardous areas and solutions to residential commercial enclosure applications. The tour included insight into the different market segments, innovative design, product quality, and expectations of site safety which was explored further during their education program.
Neil Jorgensen, Customer Experience Manager, B&R Enclosures says the AITC excursion showcases their community values. “We feel it’s important as an Australian manufacturer to show people in the local community what we do and the opportunities we have here. Like a lot of businesses, we are constantly looking for new employees. At B&R we get people started at ground level and then train them. Throughout the whole organisation we have a lot of people who start on the shop floor and they’re now in design, or management, or doing a range of other roles.”
When employees begin at the base level, they can undertake more physical duties such as moving equipment or products. “We do a lot of on-the-job training here. If a person begins with a reasonable level of education, like a Year 12 QCE, through training they could move anywhere in the organisation. There’s a lot of opportunities in a company such as B&R.”
Apprenticeship opportunities include mechanical and electrical apprenticeships. “B&R electrical apprenticeships is a big one for us because we do so much electrical integration on site. We will get apprentices in from all backgrounds, and increasingly we have more young women in the trades which is great,” says Neil.
“We are hoping the AITC young people take away an appreciation of the organisation and the different parts that are required to put together quality products. There are finer points, such as design, sales and marketing,” explains Neil. It’s good for them to know that “B&R exists because, even if they work for other places, they might buy products from us.” If they are thinking about joining B&R “we want young people to be aware of the support for employees available in a company like ours.”
B&R have a long list of clients, like the Australian Defence, major global organisations and local infrastructure, all with particular requirements. “We also design switchboard boxes, data racks and cabinets for data centres, there is a lot of focus around protection — so our processes are integral — as well as our people,” says Neil.
There’s a range of specialist activities that go into putting together a metal enclosure that will last — from design through to painting and cutting, “there’s so many different jobs and we focus on multiskilling people.”
DELIBERATELY DIFFERENT.
By opening the doors of industry, and sharing a boardroom through the BYB program, it becomes a real world classroom for AITC students to link industry to education.
Urissa Chinia, VET Team Leader from the Ipswich campus says, “it’s great for our young people to have exposure of real life work skills in the industry sector. They need an idea of what it’s like to work out in the real world whilst having hands-on experience in the business sector.” Young people were “extremely excited by the opportunity to be part of the BYB event at B&R,” says Urissa. “They were given a tour, had workplace health and safety discussions with the trainers from HR and a lunch was organised as well. The vibe was amazing. Our young people loved the tour. They were able to have a look at what manufacturing in Australia is like. It was bringing the learning experience from the classroom and seeing how it fits hand in hand with industry and in the real world.” While there two of our young people expressed a keen interest in the prospect of working at B&R and had a meeting with the head of HR. “Seeing young people step up and be proactive about finding an apprenticeship is rewarding. “To be a VET teacher and setting the foundation for young people to go into industry and chase these career opportunities is awesome,” says Urissa.
