A WIMMERA employer believes young people are struggling to find jobs because they lack trade skills.
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Horsham Aviation Services director Tony Brand wants to re-establish a technical school in the city.
He said the school would benefit the region’s employers and young people.
“I was lucky enough to leave primary school and go to Horsham Technical School,” he said.
“It was terrific and provided mandatory trade subjects for all students for at least the first three years, and electives after that.
“The education prepared us to head into the workforce and we went to employers with a wealth of knowledge.”
Horsham Technical School closed in 1993.
Mr Brand said all technical schools in Victoria were decommissioned around that time.
“Now, students might get to do woodwork in high school but they don’t get any other trade experience,” he said.
“When employers take on someone without a technical school background, it creates a huge head wind and frustrates both the employers and the young people.
“Young people get disillusioned and employers stop taking on apprentices because they find it too frustrating.
“Then young people find it hard to find employment.”
Mr Brand said the state government had started re-establishing trade schools but there were none west of Ballarat.
“We deserve it,” he said.
Mr Brand has pitched the idea to other Wimmera residents and employers.
“Everyone I spoke to agrees we need to do something,” he said.
“It’s something that will benefit the region, not just Horsham – previously people came from all over the Wimmera to go to the technical school.
“It would be a win for everyone.”
Mr Brand said he would start by organising a community meeting to discuss the proposal.
‘My intention now is to find a date and a suitable venue for this meeting, possibly such as the Horsham Civic Centre,” he said.
“The meeting will gauge the thoughts of residents and also foster community support for this worthwhile cause.
“Then we will lobby politicians.”
Mr Brand is following in his grandfather’s footsteps with this project.
In the 1950s, his grandfather Claude Brand, organised a community meeting to first discuss the idea of a technical school in the region.
The meeting ultimately led to the school being built.