Try a Trade day a huge success

VU Polytechnic hosted 71 secondary school students to a full day of hands-on trades activities focused on carpentry, engineering, bricklaying, cabinet making and signwriting. The activities were set up in a round-robin style at Sunshine Campus to give students a taste of what each trade is like and access to industry-standard tools.  

Students came from schools primarily in the Brimbank municipality: Maribyrnong College, Essendon Keilor College, Manor Lakes College, Staughton College and Gladstone Park Secondary College. They were given a merchandise pack, including a try-a-trade t-shirt, notebook and pens, and were provided lunch. By completing each of the activities, students walked away with a pencil box customised with their own graphics.

Engaging & hands-on

The activities were very well received with teachers from Essendon Keilor College and Gladstone Park Secondary College sharing student feedback:

Students had a really good day. The bricklaying session was their favourite, really hands on and really engaging teachers. Lunch was great also. Overall a great day and Essendon Keilor College would love to return next year.

Each section was engaging and the hands on experience was beneficial and gave the students some real life encounters. Gladstone Park Secondary enjoyed seeing the entire University through working in different areas and have shared their experience with other students. We have more that would be interested in attending should run it again.

Learn a trade with us

If you’re considering a career in trades, VU Polytechnic offers pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships across the following areas:

• building and construction
• carpentry and cabinet making
• civil construction
• electrical
• engineering
• plumbing
• signage.

The next Try a Trade day will be in Term 3, 2022.

To tour our Sunshine campus and be guided through your application, register for a session.