Bendigo Tech School launches

La Trobe University is celebrating new opportunities for future students, the University and the region as a whole, with the launch of the Bendigo Tech School.

The Tech School is the tenth and final state-of-the-art facility to open as part of the Victorian Government’s Tech Schools initiative, which will deliver advanced education that Victorian school students need to flourish in the global economy.

The Tech School is based on one level of La Trobe’s new Engineering and Technology Building, and is opening as the first stage of the leading-edge facility that is part of a $50 million campus redevelopment project on the Bendigo campus.

The project also includes major extensions to the campus’ library and student union building, and improved sport infrastructure.

Vice-Chancellor, La Trobe University, Professor John Dewar, said the opening of the Tech School on the Bendigo campus supports La Trobe’s deep investment in in STEAM studies (science, technology, engineering, arts and maths), as well as regional education and communities.

“Locating secondary school students in the centre of our Bendigo campus’ science and engineering precinct will inspire young people to study STEAM through school and beyond – acting as a springboard to their future careers,” Professor Dewar said.

“La Trobe’s ‘career-ready’ approach and strong links with local industry, particularly in rapidly growing sectors like tech and advanced manufacturing, also make the University an ideal fit for the Tech School’s ethos of preparing students for jobs of the future.”

Head of La Trobe’s Bendigo Campus, Mr Robert Stephenson, said the arrangement is a win for both the University and the region as a whole.

“Here we have secondary students coming onto our campus, being exposed to the latest in STEAM technology, modern facilities and teaching excellence, in a creative and supportive university environment,” he said.

Director of the Bendigo Tech School, Mr Graeme Wiggins, said it is an exciting time for education in the region.

“The Bendigo Tech School's learning spaces and programming have been co-designed by local school students, community and industry,” he said.

“We aim to create high-tech learning experiences that prepare young people to thrive in future workplaces and move smoothly between industries and occupations,” Mr Wiggins said.

Students will be able to use the latest audio-visual, design and advanced manufacturing equipment to experiment and develop projects, and have access to equipment that is unique in Australian education.

Students have been exploring everything from urban planning using the Internet of Things, robot design and programming using Block-Code.

The Engineering and Technology Building, in which the Tech School is based, was designed by Vincent Crisp Architects and built by Hutchinson Builders.

Students studying engineering and technology at La Trobe Bendigo will use the new facilities from the start of 2019.