Emmanuel Austria was impressed by what he learned at Flavourtech. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Flavourtech has become the latest Griffith business to teach local Year 9 and 10 students about what it does, in the hope that some will be encouraged to take up an apprenticeship there after they leave school.
A new program by the NSW Department of Education and TAFE NSW is seeking to address skill shortages across the Riverina by encouraging students to consider a career in the trades.
The NSW Government agencies are partnering with Griffith businesses to give the teenagers a taste of future career options.
On Thursday (27 March), the students visited Flavourtech, a Griffith company that works with coffee producers, wineries and food manufacturers to refine and enhance their products, improving both taste and quality.
Emmanuel Austria, a 15-year-old Wade High student in Year 10, was impressed with the tour.
“Flavourtech can remove alcohol from products. I never knew you could do that,” he said.
Emmanuel also visited local agricultural supplier Collier & Miller two weeks ago and is enjoying the program.
“I’ve learned about a few options going around,” he said. ”This program is really good, it gives me the chance to have a look around and explore more things.
“I’m thinking of doing a school-based apprenticeship while I do Year 11 and 12. I’m not exactly sure what I want to do after I finish school. I’m considering becoming a carpenter.”
Flavourtech’s SCC100-W is used for small-scale wine de-alcoholisation. Photo: Facebook.
The Department of Education’s Regional Industry Education Partnerships (RIEP) program is being facilitated by Katie Friedlieb.
She said there were many students like Emmanuel who could benefit by learning about future employment prospects in their own town.
“We had eight students touring two local businesses – both Flavourtech and A&G Engineering – as part of program,” Ms Friedlieb said.
“We are learning about the different opportunities available in these businesses in welding and different engineering careers.
“At Flavourtech, it was really interesting to hear about the different roles they have available and how much they service international clients, and the opportunities for travel as fitters and turners.”
Ms Friedlieb said the RIEP program ran one day a week during the first term of school.
“For about five or six weeks, they are in the TAFE workshop making a firepit and learning how to weld and then for two of the weeks they are doing site tours and getting some work-readiness skills,” she said.
“I did not realise such a creative business like Flavourtech was in Griffith. For a lot of the students, the businesses are in the industrial area and unless you know someone who works there, you wouldn’t know the intricacies of the businesses and the opportunities that are out here.
“At this stage, the students are exploring the opportunities. They might do some work experience and get a feel for what they want to do after school.”
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