Working with the Structured Workplace Learning Program has changed the way we deliver VCAL (now VCE) at CSC.  Previously, students would find their own placement and this may have taken weeks- with eventually students becoming disheartened and losing interest.

I had a female student who wanted to be a diesel mechanic. We spent an afternoon ringing leads and contacts all to no avail. Once the employer heard it was a female student, the conversation changed direction and the opportunity seemed to close down.

I contacted Michael, and discussed the situation and within 2 days we had a placement secured with Hazeldenes Chickens in Lockwood. They were more than accommodating and gave a thorough pre-placement induction to the student. By having an experienced person like Michael with vast networks, I am confident that placements he finds are appropriate and suitable. When I ring someone blindly, I’m not really sure of the type of workplace I am dealing with.

The other noticeable difference is that students are keen to explore work experience as things seem to ‘happen quickly’.

-Steven Carroll (Teacher, Castlemaine Secondary College)

During my weeks work experience at Hazeldenes Chicken Farm. I undertook a wide range of mechanical jobs including general servicing, to watching and assisting the mechanics with brakes, airbags, parts replacements and heaps more. The blokes I worked with were terrific and showed amazing patience to my slow learning. I am exceptionally grateful for these people giving me this opportunity.

-Hayley

Hayley said she had a 'ripsnorta' of a week. I texted her over the weekend and asked if she wanted to do some more and she replied "I think they might need a break from me'. Hayley has always been determined to reach her goal and it shows in her work and in her communication with other students and her teachers. As is evidenced in the feedback from Hazeldenes, Hayley is punctual, well presented, an excellent communicator, has a positive attitude and is keen to learn. We are extremely pleased for Hayley that her work placement was such a positive experience for her and hope that this experience spurs her on to achieve her ultimate goal.

-Steve Carroll (Castlemaine Secondary College)

SUMMARY OF SWL EMPLOYER EVALUATION:

“(Hayley) communicates well with others, contributed to conversation and exchange of ideas. (She) was always punctual with excellent communication and people skills and listens well. (She) always appeared confident, self assured and achievement orientated. (Her) work was of good quality and showed care and attention to detail. Overall a very good student who showed a keen level of interest in the role.”

-Michael Patton (Workshop Manager, Hazeldenes)

“I was inspired to find out more about female mechanics when I met Hayley recently. The daughter of a professional truck driver and transport company owner, Hayley 17, and in year 11 at Castlemaine Secondary College, wants to be a heavy vehicle mechanic, one who attends to engines in trucks, tractors and heavy earth moving equipment.

She loved a recent week’s work placement with Hazeldenes Chickens which has its own truck fleet.”

“I went in there terrified and I just assumed I’d be on the broom all week but they had me straight in there with the mechanics doing servicing and checking components,” Hayley says.

She also replaced an air cleaner and an oil filter under the watchful eye of her supervisor.

Dirt doesn’t worry Hayley. And she would like to combine trucking and mechanic work with farming.”I was thinking of contract harvesting and carting crop in my own trucks”

She says trucking far and wide with her dad and into places like the Woomera Restricted Area in central Australia got her keen on becoming a heavy vehicle mechanic.

“Once I decided I wanted to get into truck driving, I knew I needed to be my own mechanic because if I break down somewhere out there with no phone service and no help, I need to know how to fix things myself.”

-Written by Genevieve Barlow, Weekly Times, September 19, 2018