Senior high school students from as far as Balranald and Tooleybuc travelled to Mildura for the event on Thursday to learn about different courses and pathways available to them at the local institutes.
SuniTAFE chief executive Brett Millington the day, which is held annually, gives students the chance to explore their higher education options.
"From our perspectives jointly, it is to show the people of our region what we have here to offer," he said.
"Quite often I still get people who visit SuniTAFE go, 'oh my god, I didn’t realise there was so much here', and that filters through to the kids, because they don’t know what’s here as well.
"So by having it open for them on both campuses and the way that we work together, the pathways that exist between SuniTAFE and into La Trobe.
"We’re an education precinct here, and that’s the way we have positioned ourselves."
Students were able to choose three sessions out of nearly 80 options to attend on the day, ranging from nursing to automotive to graphic design to beauty.
The day also included an industry expo, as well as keeping it fun with food trucks and music at lunchtime.
La Trobe University Mildura’s head of campus Sandy Connor said it's important for students to know local options are available to them.
"There are some kids who want to go away and are able to do that, and that is fantastic," she said.
"But there is a growing number of kids who don’t want to leave.
"There are a lot of opportunities that we have right here in Mildura for those kids to actually have a higher education."
Mr Millington said studies have shown that people who study regionally are more likely to stay regionally.
"We know the skill shortages that are in our region very acutely, and what we are trying to do is create pathways for people post-secondary school to long-term employment that benefits our region," he said.
"Being able to expose kids to those opportunities is really what the day is all about, how can we make the future more bright for them."
Both Mr Millington and Ms Connor encouraged anyone who is thinking about undertaking high education at either institute to get in contact with them.
"Ask the question, because there are a thousand different ways that we can help," Ms Connor said.
This article was originally published by the Sunraysia Daily and shared with permission.
