By Peter Douglas
WORK on the new Yarra Ranges Tech School began in earnest on Friday, 14 October.
Minister for Education, James Merlino, and Member for Eastern Victoria, Daniel Mulino, visited the location of the new school, Box Hill Institute’s Lilydale Lakeside campus, to mark the start of construction.
The launch represents another step towards the region’s students gaining access to a high-tech innovation hub.
Once complete, students from 18 local secondary schools will learn science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects at the school, while the locations will house a high-tech robotics lab, virtual reality rooms and fabrication labs.
The school’s focus will be on precision manufacturing, medical robotics, sustainability and renewables, bio-technology, food and fibre.
The aim is to equip students with the skills they need for high-tech jobs, both today and into the future.
Mr Merlino said this would represent great opportunity for students.
“A tech school is not a traditional school – it’s a shared campus for local secondary schools that is equipped with leading-edge technology to provide students a new type of learning environment as part of their enrolment at their local secondary school,” he said.
The campus has strong ties to industry and employers, giving students crucial insight into employment skills and pathways into education, training and employment.
Classes will be delivered in partnership with Deakin University and William Angliss Institute, with work expected to be completed by January next year.
For more information on tech schools, visit www.techschools.education.vic.gov.au.
