This presentation will examine a case study of how industry engagement has supported the ongoing development of aquaculture education in a Northern Territory middle school setting resulting in positive outcomes for students, educators and local aquacultural businesses. The benefits associated with developing strong industry-classroom partnerships are many and have been well documented worldwide. By drawing on contextual examples of success it is hoped that educators, businesses, and industry experts will be encouraged to engage with schools in meaningful ways that will strengthen the future of the industry and provide rich learning experiences for students along the way.
Taminmin College is a rural high school located in Humpty Doo, Northern Territory. In 2019 Marine Technology was trialed as a year 8 elective subject due to the high number of students with a keen interest in fishing. The fast success of the subject provided the foundation to build what has become a complete pathway through middle school and on to vocational education and training in year 10 via delivery of Certificate I in Seafood - an internationally recognized vocational education course. Since its inception more than 400 students have engaged with the program resulting in real world aquaculture employment for participants.
Vital to the development of the program has been the role of local industry stakeholders. Through collaboration and the willingness of local businesses to share their knowledge and resources the program has seen students build awareness and aspirations about potential careers, link learning to real world problems, understand their future work environments and developed their future work capabilities. The capability of teachers has grown through the development of professional networks and connections outside the teaching environment resulting in an increased capacity to deliver lessons that incorporate key skill sets, modern methods and industry relevant vocabulary. Along the way students have experienced positive interactions with potential employers and built positive perceptions of local aquaculture businesses - a key element in easing the transition to work. Through industry consultation, workplace visits, career talks, mentoring, work experience, guest speakers and donations the intellectual and technological capacity of the school has grown as has access to and understanding of state-of-the-art technologies not normally accessible in a school setting.
By outlining some of the key collaborations happening at Taminmin college it is hoped that industry leaders will recognize and embrace opportunities to strengthen aquaculture education in middle school settings within their own communities. By doing so the future of the industry can only be strengthened further.