Vic manufacturing skills drive targets youth
The Careers in Manufacturing (CiM) Strategy - a collaboration between the Victorian government and the education and manufacturing sectors -- will target young people in years nine and 10 and is designed to redress the negative perception of the manufacturing sector.
While the initiative included all areas of manufacturing, the TCF sector would be a primary beneficiary, claimed Peter Scott, a spokesperson for Andre Haermeyer, Victorian Minister for Manufacturing and Export.
"The TCF is a strong contributor to Victorian manufacturing and supplies to many of the other manufacturing sectors such as automotive, aerospace, transport technical textiles as well as the more traditional areas of fashion."
The industry would be represented by a Young Industry Ambassador (YIA) from Melbourne manufacturer Bruck Textiles, a participant in the CiM's pilot program and slated to participate in the program itself during 2006, he said.
CiM will address the poor image of the manufacturing industry through:
Delivery of a curriculum to enhance teachers' and students' understanding of the manufacturing industry, how it contributes to the economy and the type of careers available
Structured industry tours for selected students
Promotional material including a DVD and YIA profiles on the Victorian Government's youthcentral.vic.gov.au website
While currently limited to Victoria, there was potential for the program to extend its coverage nationally, Scott said.
"There has already been a significant level of interest in the program from the South Australian and Queensland Governments."