How do you inspire a group of high school students to consider an exciting career in an industry they might not know much about?

You get them out of the classroom, swap neckties for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and take them to a $1.25 billion road infrastructure construction site!

 On the ground immersion into the world of civil construction

On Friday 15 September, the BORR team ran its third Career Taster Program with 19, year-nine students from Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School. The program provides an innovative opportunity for local students to explore what it means to be working on a project like BORR and consider what sort of post-school pathways may be right for them, specifically in the civil construction industry.

The morning kicked off with the allocation and checking of PPE to make sure that everyone was safe and protected when attending the construction site. Next came the health and safety discussion followed by a visitor induction at BORR’s Community Hub in the heart of Bunbury.

The students heard about career opportunities within the construction industry, including what a ‘normal’ day might look like and potential pathways from school into industry.

 
Students taking part in heritage monitoring collection

Next came a trip to Collie River where Joanne Hill, the Aboriginal Participation Manager on the project, led the students on a ‘heritage monitoring collection and recording’ session. Joanne also facilitated some cultural immersion to help the students better appreciate how significant the land is spiritually and culturally to the local Wilman and Wadandi Noongar people.

Following this session the students enjoyed a barbeque lunch, hosted by the southern abutment of the Boyanup-Picton Road interchange bridge.

With heads and stomachs equally full, the program participants headed to site where they experienced what it means to work in civil construction, including machine operations and a deep dive into the different structures along the alignment and how they are being built.

 Getting up close and personal with earthmoving equipment

What did the students themselves have to say about the day?

“It was interesting to hear about all of the different pathways and careers that are in the construction industry.”

“It was [a] really interesting, inspiring and worthwhile experience.”

“It was very interesting, and I learnt a lot about the construction profession.”

It’s safe to say, based on the recurring theme in the feedback, that the day was all BORR and no bore, and enabled the students to see the range and variety of career options available to them.

 Students had the chance to get involve and get their ‘hands dirty’

Special thanks to South Regional TAFE and Jobs and Skills WA, as well as the many internal team members who helped ensure the day went smoothly and was both enjoyable and educational.

 Year 9 Career’s Taster program attendees