Year 10 and 11 high school students from Sydney’s west toured the Beijer Ref and Daikin premises as part of the Discover HVACR Industry Immersion Day.
The event was delivered under the Department of Education’s Educational Pathways Program (EPP), led by Joyce Choucair, head teacher for the Careers and Educational Pathways Program (NSW).
Students were welcomed by leading professionals from across the HVAR sector and given the chance to explore the diverse career pathways the industry offers.
Inside the boardrooms, they heard first-hand from apprentices currently building their careers, met employees at various career stages, and gained valuable insights into the breadth of roles available in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration.
Guided tours of the premises provided a behind-the-scenes look at operations, including refrigeration manufacturing in action.
The EPP has grown significantly in recent years—evolving from school-based Maths Application Workshops, to the ARBS2024 Mathsgaine initiative, and now to the inaugural and successful Industry Immersion Day.
Joyce said many of the students walked away inspired, with several keen to take the next step into work experience.
Programs like these are vital for the future of the HVACR industry. By sparking early interest among students and connecting them directly with employers, initiatives such as the EPP play an important role in addressing the industry’s skills shortage.
They showcase the exciting and rewarding opportunities available, while creating pathways for the next generation of skilled tradespeople and professionals.
Beijer Ref Australia and Daikin Australia are proud to support initiatives that not only inspire students but also help strengthen the future workforce of the HVACR industry.