Alternative path to an inspiring career in engineering

2024-11-20

Bella Dripps was one of many students who found pursuing a career path straight after school a challenging, yet exciting, experience. She planned to take a gap year after graduating but instead started engineering studies — and not through a university which is often the first choice for aspiring engineers.
 
Bella wanted to build her knowledge, skills and confidence in the field before pursuing a university degree in aeronautical engineering at RMIT, so she enrolled in the Diploma of Engineering at The Gordon TAFE. She said her decision to take the vocational path straight after school had given her the practical, industry-relevant engineering skills she needed to prepare for university. 

“I’m really enjoying TAFE. The coursework is practical, the class size is small, and the teachers are great,’’ she said. “We’re using the engineering workshops on campus and have plenty of networking opportunities with professionals in the field. We’re covering a broad range of engineering topics, and it’s building my skills and confidence for when I start university.”

Various career pathway options are available for those who are not offered a place at their first-choice university or are indecisive about their next step in life. Bella’s experience highlights the value of vocational education as an alternative pathway or change of preference option for students that may not achieve the necessary scores to enter university upon high school graduation. TAFE allows students to earn credits that can decrease the time and reduce the cost of further studies.

Additionally, The Gordon strongly supports females like Bella to pursue careers in engineering and other industries traditionally underrepresented by women. Access to clear and appealing education and training options to work in an industry that offers a range of well-paid and secure career pathways supports the “Making it equal: Victoria’s Women in Manufacturing Strategy” released by the Victorian Government this month (Oct 2024).

The Gordon’s Engineering teacher, Ollie Buckley, is proudly “developing the next generation of engineers” in his role he commenced in 2023. Ollie loves helping his students develop their skills and pushing them to achieve high standards. He is enjoying connecting with the students and passing on the knowledge he’s gathered throughout his time in the industry. Ollie describes the institute’s training as a “great launching pad for commencing studies that lead into higher learning or into industry’’. “Our students will be the ones who drive change in the industry for years to come,’’ he said.

A former Gordon engineering student himself, Ollie completed completing Certificate III, Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Engineering before embarking on the Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) at Deakin University. Since then, he has undertaken numerous roles in the industry, including work on Geelong Arts Centre which he described as an experience that was challenging, amazing and one of his career highlights.

With the high demand for qualified engineers in various fields, including increasing number of women pursuing careers in the industry, Ollie emphasises the importance of starting education now. “It’s a great time to commence in the industry as there is a high demand for people in many different areas. There are several developing areas that need qualified people to assist and progress these important projects.’’

Start a rewarding career in engineering today and head to thegordon.edu.au to apply.