General News
17 June, 2026
Student trade taster a success
The NCTTC welcomed around 120 students and their teachers from Boort, Charlton, Donald, Pyramid Hill, Sea Lake, St. Arnaud, Wedderburn and Wycheproof for a day designed to help young people make informed choices about their subject selections and future pathways.
NORTH Central Trade Training Centre threw open its doors last week for its annual ‘Try a VET Day’, a hands-on event that gives young people from across the north-centre region a real taste of what vocational education and training has to offer.
The NCTTC welcomed around 120 students and their teachers from Boort, Charlton, Donald, Pyramid Hill, Sea Lake, St. Arnaud, Wedderburn and Wycheproof for a day designed to help young people make informed choices about their subject selections and future pathways.
After a welcome from Assistant Principal and NCTTC Manager, Natasha Saunders, the day commenced with a lively Industry Expo.
“Students moved enthusiastically between stalls, posing questions with representatives from some of our local region’s most prominent employers, training providers and support services,” Ms Saunders said.
“Organised by the NCLLEN, a remarkable cross-section of the opportunities available to young people in our local area were in attendance including: Bendigo TAFE, Kangan Institute, VEG Education, Academy Training and Assessment, O’Connors, Boort District Health, Teys Feedlot, Buloke Shire, Loddon Shire, Elders (Wycheproof), Nutrien Ag, Headspace (Bendigo and Swan Hill), Inglewood & Districts Health Service, Victoria Police, NCLLEN HeadStart, Vic VICE and the L2P Program.
Ms Saunders said feedback from stallholders was overwhelmingly positive, with students praised for the thoughtful, engaged and respectful way in which they approached every conversation.
“For some of these young people, it may well have been their first real encounter with the world of work and they rose to the occasion,” she said.
Following the expo, students rotated through three different hands-on VET sessions, each offering a genuine look into the content, expectations and day-to-day reality of the 12 courses the NCTTC will have on offer in 2027.
“Rather than simply being told what a course involves, students got to experience it firsthand - a far more powerful way to discover where their interests and strengths might lie,” Ms Saunders said. “With courses spanning industries from agriculture, hospitality and health to construction, beauty services, engineering and community services, there was something to spark curiosity in every student in attendance.”
Ms Saunders said it was a warm reminder that days like these are never just about the students; they are a reflection of an entire community investing in its youth.
“With this important day behind them, students will now take time to reflect on their experiences, seek course counselling and make their subject selections for 2027,” she said. “For many, Thursdaymay prove to be the moment that helped them find their direction.”
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