A group of Trafalgar High School students celebrated graduating a program all about energy solutions recently.
The year nine and 10 students took part in the New Energy Technology (NET) program, celebrating six months of hands-on learning and problem solving alongside their mentors from Gippsland's growing energy industry.
In a collaborative effort, Baw Baw Latrobe Local Learning and Employment Network partnered with Broadening Horizons and Gippsland Tech School to deliver the program to a group of 27 students from across Baw Baw and the Latrobe Valley.
The Trafalgar students were mentored by Marinus Link's economic development manager Christina Young.
Marinus Link is an underground and undersea electricity and data cable that will further connect Tasmania and Victoria with a strong emphasis on renewable energy.
Ms Young said she was proud to be part of the students' learning about renewable energy and its growing local industry.
"It's inspiring how passionate these creative young people are about reducing the impacts of climate change, and advocating for a renewable energy future for their communities," she said.
"The new jobs generated from renewable energy and transmission projects will bring so many opportunities for our communities."
Erlinda James, partnership broker for the Baw Baw Latrobe Local Learning and Employment Network, coordinated the program following a call from Gippsland careers teachers for an opportunity to learn about the growing renewable energy industry.
"Given the shortage of technical skills in Gippsland, the NET program was created for teachers to expose young people to future job opportunities in the region," Ms James said.
"A big thanks to everyone involved in delivering the program – Broadening Horizons, the Gippsland Tech School, the high schools and their careers advisors, and our industry mentors."