THE introduction of an engineering school at Charles Sturt University is already reaping benefits for Bathurst Regional Council.
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CSU announced in 2014 that it would start its engineering school in 2016 and council entered into a memorandum of understanding with the university to support the school in its early years.
Council had previously implemented its own engineering cadet program to tackle a skills shortage in the region, but had to contend with cadets needing to travel as far away as Queensland for intensive courses as part of their degree.
A report to councillors by engineering services director Darren Sturgiss said the introduction of the Bathurst engineering school solved that problem and allowed council to replace its in-house program.
“A key difference between the proposed CSU program and many engineering courses offered elsewhere was the focus on engineering industry practice for cadets during their studies,” Mr Sturgiss said.
“Starting from the second year of studies, cadets commence full-time employment in the industry with a number of industry partners, and continue working in the engineering field for the rest of their degree.
“These take the form of internships, whereby they commence as a junior cadet engineer, then progress as they grow in competency and undertake further placements over several years.
“Cadets are rotated through different industry partners, so that they gain wider experience within the civil engineering discipline.”
Council’s first CSU cadet started in 2017 and has been involved in survey, design and drafting work.
Mr Sturgiss said an additional first-year engineering cadet would be starting soon with council.
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