At Bendigo Tech School, our industry immersion days are a powerful example of what can be achieved when education and industry unite. By connecting young people with local professionals, we're sparking curiosity, empowering innovation, and taking an active role in shaping the future workforce of our community.

In early August, we welcomed 80 students from eight Bendigo secondary schools for the fourth annual Allied Health 'Come and Try Day', proudly developed and delivered in partnership with the Goldfields LLEN, Bendigo Health, Bendigo TAFE, and RWAV - Rural Workforce Agency Victoria.

The event featured hands-on workshops led by Bendigo Health clinicians, a panel discussion, and presentations from La Trobe University and Bendigo TAFE, giving students valuable insight into study and career pathways for a variety of allied health disciplines, including:

- Occupational Therapy

- Speech Pathology

- Social Work and Allied Health Assistance

- Physiotherapy

- Podiatry

The Allied Health 'Come and Try Day' has run annually since 2022 and serves as the blueprint for our growing industry immersion offerings. Its continued success is possible thanks to the hard work and dedication of our industry partners. Together, we are creating meaningful connections between education and real-world careers, helping students see clear and achievable pathways from the classroom to the workplace.

A huge thank you to everyone who made this event possible – our industry partners, the clinicians, the teachers, and especially the students! The future of allied health in our region is in good hands.