Upgraded workshop tuning bright futures
News
A $4.8m automotive engineering refurbishment at Cardijn College’s Marcellin Campus at Christie Downs was blessed and opened by Archbishop Parick O’Regan on March 6.
The state-of-the-art facility designed by Grieve Gillett Architects will provide students with practical, hands-on learning experiences in a safe and industry-standard environment.
It includes six automotive hoists, brake lathe, six-bay exhaust extraction system, modern diagnostic, electrical and specialist test equipment, tyre changing and repair machines, suspension repair equipment, six fully equipped automotive toolboxes, hydraulic press brake, metal fabrication tooling and equipment, and 20 welding and cutting stations.
Training manager Justin Mamo said the advanced resources support vocational courses such as Certificate II and III in Automotive, as well as Engineering in Mechanical and Fabrication trades.
There are currently 50 students undertaking Certificate II qualifications, 35 apprentices undertaking trade training in the new facility and all the Year 10 cohort experience the Engineering and Automotive trades during their immersion program, producing trade level projects.
Apprentices with MTC Training in Electrotechnology also access the facility to complete a compulsory fabrication unit as part of their trade training, with 58 apprentices currently training on the Marcellin Campus to become qualified electricians.
Before blessing the facility, Archbishop O’Regan said he felt “surprisingly familiar with a situation like this” because his father was a motor mechanic and owned “a shop and little garage in a small village”.
However, he admitted he didn’t inherit his mechanical skills and “couldn’t change a tyre but now I know where to come”.
He said the centre stood as a place of learning, craftsmanship and growth – “a space where our students will develop skills that shape not just cars and machines but their future”.
“Above all, this is a space that’s dedicated to the growth of young minds and the future of our community,” he said.
Archbishop O’Regan blessed an iron cross made by Year 11 Engineering students.
Mr Mamo said the cross formed the “basis of why we are here – the sacred heart of Jesus”.
“I say to a lot of my trainers, if you think this is a job then it’s time to leave,” Mr Mamo said.
“This is truly a vocation of ours and it’s a privilege to be able to make the cross as representative of what we do.
“Sometimes you don’t realise the difference you make, then students come back and tell you how well they are doing and you realise you have made a lasting impact.”
Mr Mamo said it was a passion of his to work with students who, like himself, wanted to pursue a trade.
While he left Christian Brothers College in Year 11 and did an apprenticeship, he said students at Cardijn benefited by being able to train when they were still at school.
“When students need assistance (with their studies) their trainer gets involved and their attitude to study is better, instead of struggling, they shine,” he said.
“Many of them go from not going to finish school to being respected as leaders in the industry.”
