Mildura Senior College hosted its 2023 Futures Day on Monday, bringing both La Trobe University and SuniTAFE onto campus to help provide options for students, who would be graduating either this year or next.
La Trobe Head of Campus Sandy Connor said it was great to provide further information about local options to students.
"Not everyone wants to leave and go to a city, whether it is Adelaide or Melbourne or anywhere else. Some people, a lot of people, want to stay and live at home, and keep working in their job and keep playing sport with their friends," she said.
"We provide them with the opportunity, it doesn’t mean they have to sacrifice a career or profession."
SuniTAFE general manager of operations David Harris said those who wanted to stay in Mildura didn't have to feel left out career or education-wise.
"(SuniTAFE and La Trobe) share a close relationship in terms how we work together to ensure these kids all have the same opportunities so no one is left out," he said.
"There are plenty of jobs in this region that are unfilled and they are great, well-paid jobs.
"We can show people how to pathway into these sorts of jobs instead of going to Melbourne and maybe do the wrong course and making a selection that perhaps they get wrong."
Ms Connor said both education facilities supported students moving from one campus to the other.
"I think a lot of people in town don’t understand that if you go to SuniTAFE it doesn’t mean that you can’t come and do a course at La Trobe, we help with that transition," she said.
"But also if you have done a course at La Trobe you can still go back and do other stuff at SuniTAFE, it is not one or the other.
"We work together to help local people continue their ongoing professional development."
MSC vice principal John Thomson said Futures Day was a great opportunity for the students to learn more about their local career and education options.
"We are thrilled by the opportunity that has been presented to our young people to connect them to their pathways especially local pathways," he said.
"We are really honoured for this special relationship we hold with SuniTAFE and La Trobe."
This article was originally published by the Sunraysia Daily and shared with permission.
