Year 11 students from San Damiano College are getting their hands dirty and making a difference thanks to a unique automotive project that combines practical vocational learning with community impact.
As part of the Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation completed at the school, eight students have spent one afternoon each week restoring a donated Subaru Outback.
While many automotive programs require students to travel off campus, San Damiano’s program is completed onsite.
The students aim to get the vehicle roadworthy and ready to donate to charity by the end of the year.
Year 11 student Nathan Buckley said the opportunity to work on a genuine vehicle and know that it would benefit other young people made the project particularly meaningful.
San Damiano College deputy principal Roshea Buksh said the project provided students with the opportunity to develop valuable automotive skills while contributing something meaningful to their local community.
Ms Buksh said the school’s automotive program was created from a desire to provide students with meaningful tactile learning opportunities that complemented traditional education in a classroom.
“Not every student thrives in a traditional classroom environment, and automotive studies provides a practical learning experience for students who prefer to learn by doing,” Ms Buksh said.
She said the practical nature of the program helps students explore future apprenticeship and employment pathways.
The school has seen strong interest from female students in the program.
“We’ve also seen a really positive uptake from girls interested in the program. Last year, three female students graduated through the course, demonstrating that vocational pathways like this are appealing to a diverse range of students,” Ms Buksh said.
The program is delivered in partnership with Tactile Learning, a Queensland registered training organisation specialising in practical vocational education and training for secondary school students.
Tactile Learning chief executive officer David Kelly said projects such as the Subaru restoration demonstrate the value of giving students genuine projects with a purpose beyond simply completing a qualification.
“Projects like this demonstrate what can happen when vocational education moves beyond the classroom and gives students a genuine project, a real purpose and the opportunity to see the results of their work,” Mr Kelly said.
The Subaru Outback was donated by Mr Kelly and his father.
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