Virtual reality welding, a sushi challenge, automotive mechanics, aged care, outdoor tourism, policing and health services were hoping to Ignite the Spark in Deloraine High School students for their career day.
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The hands-on career day aimed to encourage students from years 7 to 12 to explore work opportunities and pathways in local industry as well as in emerging industry and manufacturing, with 17 organisations donating their time.
Students were asked to fill out a survey about their experience and 60 per cent said they felt more confident talking to people about the things they were interested in after the day.
The school's trade training coordinator Berice Van Der Aa said five reality welding simulators were provided for students to experience safe welding and everyone seemed to enjoy it as it was a different activity.
"Councillor Suzie Bower from the Meander Valley Council had seen reality welding simulators from Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council in operation and suggested them," she said.
"The feedback was mostly good, but there were requests for more activities, but the students were proactive in telling us what they thought they would like to see.
"It's always evolving, next year we want to target two to three businesses at a time and create a more personalised format with mock interviews."
She said one student, who was a confident welder, said the simulation feedback picked up bad habits and showed him how to correct his welding technique.
Feedback will guide next year's event, with students asking for information on PDHPE teaching, sports, animal welfare, environment, music, YouTubers, design and architecture jobs.
It gave a taste of what year 9 and 10 students can expect in the school's technology hub for an advanced manufacturing course in 2020.
The hub includes 3D printers, CNC laser cutters, robotics and cutting edge software for students to experiment with.