Brad uses local vocational program to score the job

DECIDING on a career path is not always an easy choice for a young person but, as many know, the Rural Vocational Pathways Program helps by providing interested school students a taste of working life in the automotive and agricultural industries.

Run by Longreach’s Australian Agricultural College Corporation (AACC), the Pathways program offers certificate two training in auto mechanics and agricultural operations to Central West high school students from Years 8, 9 and 10.

In the three years since the program’s creation, several students have gone on to gain fulltime trade employment.

Seven months ago Brad Avery of Longreach was successful in gaining a mechanic traineeship at the AACC after he participated in the vocational program as a Year 10 student.

"I think it put me in front of everyone else in the job interview process because the others hadn’t done anything," Mr Avery said.

"It was pretty good to get out of school and learn a few more practical things.
"If you don’t like school I think it’s a good option."

Other success stories include Year 10 students Brenton Richards and Tony Fitzgerald who have respectively secured apprenticeships at Longreach Motors and O’Brien’s Garage for next year.

AACC training manager Terry Bielenberg said these results are indicative of the program’s success as it assists students entering rural industries.

"It shows employers that they are willing to get into the industry and means they can be useful straight away because they have already received some training," Mr Bielenberg said.

"It is also filling up the skill shortages in the local area because the mines are snapping up a lot of our mechanics. We are training local youth for the local industry."

The Rural Vocational Pathways Program is partially funded by the student fees and receives extra support from Education Queensland and Outback Pathways and Careers.