La Trobe University has a unique multi-disciplinary undergraduate engineering course that boosts job prospects by guaranteeing many students a six-month $10,000 industry work placement.
La Trobe Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Graham Schaffer, said the new Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) course, which is now taking enrolments for study in 2016, was designed to meet latest industry needs.
"We have spoken to engineering firms across Victoria and they have told us very clearly they need graduates who have a mix of skills across historical engineering disciplines, who can be all-rounders, who have strong design skills and who understand the business context so that they can be ready to hit the ground running - and that is exactly what we have delivered in this new course," Professor Schaffer said.
Bendigo and Melbourne based organisations were part of the course design process and will also take part in the work placement program. They've welcomed the new initiative to ensure La Trobe engineering graduates are job-ready and primed for success.
Justin Carline, a Fellow of Engineers Australia and head of the Global Chocolate Research and Development, Mondelēz International praises the initiative from La Trobe University.
“As economic growth in Australian shifts from the mining boom to the dining boom, food manufacturing is growing. At Mondelēz International, our focus isn’t just local. Our brands are world-wide and we must adapt to consumer markets across the globe. We are constantly on the hunt for talented graduates who are armed with ‘real-world’ experiences and who have the ability to drive growth opportunities within various markets. We depend on employees who can think outside the box and explore opportunities for our business, whether they be new products, breakthrough technologies or sustainable manufacturing solutions.
We want engineering graduates who can work as part of a global community to design, integrate engineering disciplines and to manage large complex projects. We need engineers with the business skills to make profitable commercial decisions. It is great to see La Trobe’s new Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) is designed to offer students the opportunity to develop the necessary skills, by drawing on diverse perspectives and disciplines to increase their workforce readiness. I have always held the belief that it is essential for tomorrow’s students to gain industry experience during their degree and I strongly support La Trobe’s Work Integrated Learning program.
To stay ahead in food manufacturing, Mondelēz International must constantly innovate, transform and reinvent our ideas to deliver the best products for our customers. We are excited to see La Trobe University embrace the same approach with the development of their new multidisciplinary Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), just as there are no limits to innovation, there are no boundaries to engineering. It is fantastic to see La Trobe take the lead in educating the adaptable engineers that the industry needs to build and transform itself to stay competitive,” says Justin.
Dr Herbert G.J. Hermens, Chief Executive Officer, of Keech Australia welcomed the new course.
"At Keech Australia, we design and manufacture high integrity steel castings for national and international companies across many sectors - from mining, excavation, and construction, to agriculture, rail transport and defence. We need engineers with multidisciplinary skills and the adaptability to work across a broad range of industries," Dr Hermens said.
"Keech Australia has a long tradition of innovation, and it is great to see La Trobe take an innovative approach to engineering education with the new Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)."
Stan Liacos, Director - City Futures, at the City of Greater Bendigo said the new course was also developed after discussions with engineers at the City of Greater Bendigo.
"The new La Trobe Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) is a very exciting development for our region. Our industry will be able to safeguard its future and nurture fresh talent through the Work Integrated Learning program. At the same time, students will be able to develop their skills and gain exposure to possible career opportunities. With a multidisciplinary Engineering education, La Trobe graduates will be well prepared to drive ongoing commercial growth in Bendigo and our surrounds," Mr Liacos said.
Dr. Eddie Custovic, the Industry Project Coordinator at the School of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences emphasizes the distinction of a multi-disciplinary engineer degree. “The opportunity to develop skills in several engineering disciplines coupled with a sound understanding of business is highly attractive to students and employers. In a society where technology and infrastructural development is moving at incredible speeds it is important that engineering graduates also adapt that attitude and attain a broad range of skills to tackle complex challenges of the future. What students at La Trobe will learn is how to solve multifaceted problems and not necessarily think of themselves as this kind or that kind of engineer. Students will learn elements of mechanical, electrical/electronic, control systems, materials, manufacturing, innovation and entrepreneurship,” says Eddie.
Professor Schaffer said the new Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) was unique in Australia and followed international trends such as those at Purdue University, Penn State University and Dartmouth College.
"Gone are the days where most employers want engineers with an overly specialised, narrow focus. At La Trobe we are educating the engineers of the future, where graduates apply a broad range of engineering skills and approaches to a project or problem," Professor Schaffer said.
"By putting a strong emphasis on industry involvement as part of the course, we are ensuring graduates can not only secure a job quickly, but will be set up for long-term career success."
The course will be offered from University's Bendigo and Melbourne campuses. A six month, work integrated learning (WIL) placement is guaranteed for Bendigo students. Melbourne-based students will also have access to WIL places, along with the option of undertaking an industry or university based project. Civil Engineering will continue to be offered at both the Bendigo and Bundoora campuses.
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A real world example of multidisciplinary engineering: This student project was undertaken with Justin Carline and Mondelez International to deliver real industry outcomes.
A multidisciplinary degree will allow students to better understand how to leverage from other sector expertise to develop cutting edge food technology.
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La Trobe University