Passions and Pathways program educates Bendigo students on possible careers

A GROUP of kids huddled around a stove at Fortuna Villa this week, eager to learn how to cook risotto and pasta.

The grade 6 Specimen Hill Primary School students were learning cooking skills as part of the Passions and Pathways program, an initiative that aims to fuel ambition in students from low socioeconomic areas and give them a taste of the pathways that lead to their possible future career.

“We find our students achieve quite well, but anecdotally we hear about past students who are very capable, but haven’t pursued a career,” acting assistant principal Wendy Jackson said.

It is the first time the school has been involved in the program, which has been running for five years.

Eaglehawk and Lightning Reef primary schools also take part in the program, a partnership between more than 40 local businesses, the City of Greater Bendigo, the Bendigo Manufacturing Group and the Goldfields Local Learning and Employment Network.

It involves workplace tours, education on workplace safety, guest speakers, an expo and visits to Bendigo TAFE and La Trobe University.

GLLEN executive officer Anne Brosnan said the program also gave students a look at the assortment of jobs available within the area.

Specimen Hill Primary School student Trasiah Coulthard said he had learnt about the values to display in the workplace, workplace safety and the importance of being energetic and enthusiastic when undertaking work experience.

While the end of school was still several years off, he said he enjoyed learning about hospitality.

“I’m pretty interested in this, I like cooking,” Trasiah said.

His classmate Jazy Roberts said she enjoyed being able to see the different workplaces.

“You be what you want to be and not what anyone else thinks,” she said of what she had learnt.

Tyeisha Ruiter said she liked the program and thought most of her fellow students did too.

“The students are really enjoying it, they’re loving it,” Mrs Jackson said.

“The response has been really good because they’re so involved.”

Cafe Essence owner Mynette Richardson has been teaching students about cooking and the hospitality industry.

“It’s nice just to give a little bit back,” Mrs Richardson said.