Freeway Ford has donated a car to ensure Lyndhurst Secondary College automotive students get hands on experience. From left: Industry Advisory Panel liaison Gary Saunders, Lyndhurst assistant principal Helen Brown and Freeway Ford managing director Derek West. Picture: Meagan Rogers.
By Glen Atwell
AUTOMOTIVE students at Lyndhurst Secondary College are about to become genuine grease monkeys.
Freeway Ford in Cranbourne has donated a second-hand Saab to ensure the Certificate II in Automotive class can get up close and personal with the working mechanics of a car.
Industry Advisory Panel liaison Gary Saunders said the new car would allow students to perform real mechanical work.
“They’ll be able to change the oil, remove the sump and work on the transmission,” he said.
“Having a car for the automotive class is obviously a very important asset.”
This year is the first that Lyndhurst has run the course, which the school hopes will reinvent the concept of the ‘tech’ school.
The automotive course is backed by a 12-strong Industry Advisory Panel, put together by the school to help oversee the course and provide potential career paths to participating students.
The industry panel includes a range of specialist professionals, including local bank managers, members of the Cranbourne Chamber of Commerce and the quarry manager of a Lyndhurst sand plant.
Mr Saunders said the course was giving students a broad overview of the industry and offer future pathways.
“The program is part of the VET system, so students are spending time in the workshop, time in class and one day a week in the work force gaining experience,” he said.
“As part of the Certificate II in Automotive, students will learn the basics of a mechanics workshop, autoelectrics, gear boxes and much more.”
Mr Saunders said the demise of technical schools meant there was high demand for skilled workers and a lot of opportunities for those interested.
“Lyndhurst was originally a tech school, so it is exciting to start offering these hands-on courses again,” he said.
“Historically, there has been a stigmatisation of tech schools and trade courses with having low educational value, but these industries offer young Australians the prospect of strong, secure, challenging and rewarding careers.”
