From blueprint to build

A group of Avondale College students recently enjoyed a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes of the redevelopment of our Performing Arts Centre (PAC), gaining valuable insight into the many professions involved in bringing a major building project to life.

As part of their contract, the contractors and consultants involved were asked to give back to the school community. This careers-focused initiative provided the perfect opportunity to do so, connecting students with industry professionals and showcasing the many pathways available within the construction sector.

Organised by the Careers Department, the visit was offered to students who had expressed an interest in career pathways such as construction, engineering, architecture, and project management through the Careers Central portal.

Throughout the day, students took part in a series of presentations from industry professionals working on the PAC project. These sessions provided a firsthand look at a range of specialised careers and the pathways that can lead to them, including:

• Project Management with RCC Group

• Quantity Surveying with PCG Solutions and Maltbys

• Architecture with Fat Parrot Architecture

• Fire Engineering with Nelligan Consulting Engineers

• Structural Engineering with Brown & Thomson

• Acoustic and Mechatronics Engineering with Marshall Day Acoustics

  
  

Following the presentations, students suited up in high-visibility vests and hard hats before embarking on a guided tour of the construction site. The tour offered a rare opportunity to observe a large-scale building project in progress and learn about the many technical considerations involved in its design and construction.

Students discovered how the acoustics for the new Drama spaces have been carefully designed, how the building has been engineered to withstand earthquakes, and why structural bracing and insulation are critical components of modern construction. They also gained an understanding of project budgeting and the role contingency funds play in managing unexpected costs.

We are grateful to all the contractors, consultants, and industry professionals who generously shared their time, expertise, and knowledge with our students. Their contribution not only fulfilled an important commitment to giving back to the school community but also helped inspire the next generation of architects, engineers, project managers, and construction professionals.