Race Replica Motorcycles in Victoria signed up student Michael Cameron from Werribee Secondary School to help him complete his Certificate II in Automotive Technology via the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning scheme.
The Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL), which Race Replica Motorcycles are participating in, is designed as an accredited pathway for secondary school students to develop work related skills, experience and personal development in a workplace setting whilst the student still continues studies at school.
VCAL also provides an opportunity for the student to make an informed decision towards further learning and employment in industry with a nationally recognised qualification on completion of the course.
Michael (Mikka) Cameron, a year 11 student, has an ambition to become a Motorcycle Mechanic and with the help and guidance from Race Replica Motorcycles he will be given a very good start to achieving his goal.
Mikka’s parents were a bit concerned as to whether a motorcycle business would be willing to find room for a student to fit into their busy workshop and we were pretty happy when Kris (Manager & owner of Race Replica Motorcycles) agreed to participate in the program.
Mikka’s Father, Les Cameron said, "now Mikka can complete the Certificate II in Automotive Technology via the VCAL program with help from the experienced staff at Race Replica Motorcycles, continue his schooling at Werribee Secondary School and move towards being an apprentice mechanic in the motorcycle industry, so it’s all going well for the young bloke”.
“We got in touch with the VCAL & career advisors from Werribee Secondary School who were outstanding in helping to us to get our head around the issues”.
“As a family we also spent a fair bit of time discussing the various options open to us, we found that in Michael’s situation, VCAL and completing years 11 & 12 and an apprenticeship would best suit Mikka to fulfil his goals”. Les said.
As Les said, “If we had more businesses who are willing to give our students a bit of help, encouragement and a bit of training through schemes like VCAL then we may not have such a big problem like Australia’s current skills shortage”.
But it’s not all about repairing and servicing motorcycles as the course includes learning about customer service, parts ordering, and literacy, numeracy and workplace skills to mention just some of the competencies to be passed.
Sources: Motocycling Australia
