Issue 3 2024 - Trades & Training
Trades & Training
Mark Boynton
Trades and Training Areas continue to play a large part of the student experience at the WA College of Agriculture – Denmark. Students in these areas experience practical skills development opportunities and actively develop their abilities so that they are ready for the workplace. The option to select studies in Equine, Conservation, Bees, Engineering or Autos allows all of our students to find an area where they can learn and succeed.
We are looking forward to opening the doors and showing off our student’s achievements and skills at the Open Day in August. The workshops and shed areas will be open to the public and you will have access to all Trades and Training areas with displays and demonstrations throughout the day.
Autos
Mr Mark Gladish is now in place in this area, we are incredibly pleased to have a trainer in place who is highly experienced in the industry. Mr Gladish has already made moves towards improvements in the workshop set up and assessment tasks. We are building workstations and a trades counter for improved training tasks and have already arranged a new set of complete project vehicles to allow full servicing and inspections to occur.
As part of the development in this area, students in Year 11 going forward will train in new Units of Competency (UoC) in Brake and Cooling Systems. We feel these UoCs will give our students an improved level of skill in important areas of vehicle maintenance.
Year 12’s in 2025 will operate more in the auto electrical areas of training and we offer 3 UoCs based on electrical systems in vehicles.
Mr Gladish will drive a program of development in that area to ensure students are well prepared for the next stages into employment.
Engineering
Mr Hamilton and Mr Toon have been moving the program along with very successful Rocket Stove production. Most students are now able to add the final touches to their stoves before being able to take these home. Some Rocket Stoves will be available for sale on Open Day in the Gymnasium.
Year 11 students in Semester two have the option to complete a minor project of their own. These do have a cost implication that student’s need to be aware of. If this is not something your child is able to do, please let us know as there are a number of school-based projects they can work on too.
Year 12 Certificate II Engineering Pathways student projects are really starting to look impressive! Sheep ramps, trailers and ute trays are nearing completion. With one term to go, I expect these projects will be ready to go home soon. Year 12 students this year have some excellent skills in design and fabrication. I believe this has been supported by the excellent work from Mr Hamilton and Mr Toon during Year 10 and 11 classes.
As mentioned in previous newsletters, it is essential that trailer builds that are to be used on the road are completed to the required standards according to Dept. of Transport requirements. We are unable to offer support in the demands of these requirements. Please see:
https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/license-a-trailer.asp
Due to space restrictions, we may need to limit trailer size to 2.4m body lengths.
We are undertaking a set of sample project builds in the coming months to demonstrate a wider variety of items students can create. Some furniture and equine projects could be included in student projects. It’s not essential to build a large project to achieve a Certificate II in Engineering Pathways.
Project support with CAD and CNC cutting is always on hand as trainers now have extensive knowledge of the software. We recommend students get plenty of practice and become more confident with AutoDesk AutoCAD to promote their understanding of this design tool. It also counts as good evidence towards the Interact with Computing Technologies UoC.
Equine
There has been a lot of riding going on while the weather has been good with all Horse Care Groups. Year 10 and 12 students are also enjoying some trail riding at times. Training is focused on position and balance. Phoebe Mottram has been demonstrating archery on horseback too.
Year 10’s have started on lunging UoC.
Year 11’s have been working on treating horses for a variety of injuries.
Year 12’s are studying a biosecurity unit and finalising their riding units.
Bees
Mrs Dufall and the Bee Team are working on creating the big sales items for Open Day. Honey and a variety of wax and bee related products are in development in the bee shed. Hives are looking pristine as they have all undergone a refurb. Most of the larger 10 frame hives have been replaced with 8 frame versions, these will be recycled into planters and various other useful products.
Bees is an area where students not only learn about the environment and looking after an enterprise area, but also get to eat the products too. I hear a waffle maker is the most used piece of equipment in the shed on cold days.
Forestry/Conservation and Ecosystem Management
Mr Spencer remains in support in this area and has been indispensable in this area. Mrs Sylvie King has been supporting Mr Spencer in recent weeks and has displayed excellent organisation and practical skills. Mrs King has extensive experience in environment and horticulture tasks and is really a great support in that area. Thank you Sylvie!
Mrs Hine
In Term 3, Mrs Angela Hine will be starting to lead this area. Mrs Hine is a trainer and lecturer with many years of experience in practical and academic studies in Conservation and Environmental works.
As part of our continued development in line with industry and employment requirements, we are altering the path of our Certificate II qualification to become Certificate II in Conservation and EcoSystem Management (CEM). Within this new Certificate II, we will continue to deliver a variety of practical forestry units.
Moving forward into 2025, students will have options to not only complete the Certificate II in CEM, but also have options to complete additional UoC in Forestry Training, to ensure they have the skills and knowledge to safely trim and cut felled trees, use chainsaws, log splitters, pole saw to prune trees and process wood products including firewood.
Design and Technology
Mr Toon is continuing to develop student skills in machining and the use of ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Year 12 students are using the lathes and threading tools to create tools. One project includes a hammer design with interchangeable faces. Students are machining and threading steel, aluminium and our own brass alloy created from recycled brass fittings. The final products are small but very impressive, students will go on to knurl handles and polish in the final stages.
Year 11’s have the forge running and are using the heat to explore bending and shaping techniques in steel. Projects from this include various fire pokers and tools. Students are enjoying the process and we feel it’s a great opportunity to experiment with different design ideas.
If you have any comments or contribution to offer our Trades and Training Department, please get in touch and let us know…
Mark Boynton
Program Coordinator – Trades and Training
WACOA - Denmark