VET Construction Batemans Bay Bridge Excursion

On 24 March our VET Construction students in Years 11 and 12 were invited for a tour of the John Holland Group (JHG), Batemans Bay Bridge project.

The visit started with an introduction from the JHG Project Team who shared their passion for engineering and construction with our students. They spoke about the various job roles and pathways into civil construction from Traineeships and Apprenticeships to University level qualifications in engineering and environmental science.

Students were introduced to building terminology such as “early works” where the construction company sets up the site compound with “crib huts”, training rooms and community displays. They were shown planning tools such as “scope of works” and discussed the approval process through environmental agencies which enabled them to work closely with Marine Parks and the local oyster growers. The process of “ramping up” was discussed, whereby JHG undertook the staffing and employment procedure.

A wide range of employees shared their pathway journeys so the students could gain an understanding of the diversity of entry opportunities into construction.

With all this knowledge on board, we moved down to the bridge construction area then to the construction compound where the engineers, traffic controllers and site Superintendent shared their experiences of what it is like to work on a major multi-million dollar project.

This was a fantastic experience for our students at Carroll College and one they will remember. Who knows; one day they might find themselves working on one of these great infrastructure projects in Australia, or further abroad? 

Jason Szkwarek
VET Construction Teacher