Page 30 - 2019 Annual Report 36 pages + cover (5)

ICT Careers Days

Two events showcasing a variety of careers in Information Communication Technology were held,
in Kyabram in July, and Echuca in November.

The Kyabram event catered for Year 9 students from Kyabram P-12 College and Rochester Secondary
College. Mark Schumann from Advance Computing provided the keynote presentation at the start
of the day, showcasing the software solutions Advance has created for local businesses using
Microsoft tools.
In Echuca the event was held despite a Code Red Emergency being announced that day. Student
numbers were down but those that attended enjoyed the activities, and with small groups everyone
was able to “have a go”. The keynote presentation was on the use of ICT in civil engineering and
the construction of the new Echuca Moama bridge.
At both events several very different workshops demonstrated a wide range of ways ICT is used,
from robotics and engineering, coding, hardware, artistic creativity, games design, augmented
reality, computer puzzles, drones and technology-based learning tools. All the workshops were very
hands on and students enjoyed using the equipment as they learnt about the careers and pathways
involved. Workshop presenters were La Trobe University, Campaspe Library Services, Advance
Computing, Splatoon Cartoons, Goulburn Murray Water, Hawken Creative and AIE.
When asked, student feedback on the day was overwhelmingly positive, with a big shift in awareness
of the career possibilities using ICT. At Kyabram the number of students considering ICT as a
possible career leapt from 30% prior to the event, to 63% after the event. When asked “What did
you like most?” students comments included –
• I liked the concept of the day and all the activities we did

• The computers, coding and cartoons because I really enjoy those things
• I enjoyed learning what people thought was interesting about their careers
• I learnt many things from all sessions, such as, that as of next year you need a drone licence

• I liked that there was a wide range of information on offer and that it showed many aspects of
ICT

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