Students say thanks with book ends

By LSCISSM Rachel Irving

COHMASStirling CMDR Phil Orchard with left, Lewis MacLeod (Warnbro) and right, Jack Danloss (Rockingham) with the bookends made by the VET students at FIMAPerth. Photo by ABPHTony Barclay-Jeffs

Students from Rockingham High School have just completed the first twelve months of Vocational Educational Training (VET) at FIMA Perth (LCDR Greg Church).

The VET program allows students from the high school to complete Certificate II in Metal Fabrication at FIMA (P) during their Year 11 and 12 schooling.

This means the students will have effectively completed the first year equivalent of an apprenticeship by the time they graduate from school.

There are currently two groups of VET students at FIMA Perth, the first group due to complete their certificate later this year.

The program, run by CPOMT Glenn Askew at FIMA’s Pipe and Plate facility, has the students involved in a variety of tasks, including fitting out the new FIMA mobile container workshop, gangway repairs, ship pipework, torpedo rack maintenance and numerous trailer repairs for the AT cell and Naval Cadets.

CPO Askew said the students had become an integral part of FIMA.

“The kids have been terrific. It’s a real win-win, with them getting on-the-job training and FIMA being able to put something back into the community,” he said.

Shinead Gillespie, a student who has been part of the program since last July and who will finish in December, said the training has been excellent.

“It’s been really good. It’s sometimes hard work but the sailors have been really good and made us feel at home. I have learnt a lot and taken a big step towards a career,” she said.

As a thank you to the Navy, the students recently made two sets of bookends and presented a set each to CO Stirling CMDR Phil Orchard and CO FIMA (P) LCDR Church.

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