Rockingham PCYC students graduate program

Students of a program targeting at-risk youth graduated two weeks ago, with their work on a patio heater dragon the culmination of a semester’s dedication.

Rockingham PCYC’s Weld to Life program has been running for 11 years and is an accredited 18-week course allowing young men and women the opportunity to earn their Certificate I in Metals and Engineering plus a Certificate I in Wider Opportunities for Work.

The program has been running for 11 years, traditionally targeting at-risk youth, including many caught up in the juvenile justice system and those who are unable to cope with the traditional education model.

The learning and development programs offer formal qualifications and much-needed structure in their lives.

The latest cohort of Weld to Life students graduated on Thursday, November 29, tuning in to their creativity by creating an outstanding dragon-style outdoor heater.

Centre manager Justin Sambal said their entrepreneurship was not stopping with the product and different versions of the dragon, and simpler models and designs, would be developed for customers to order, including all-in-one heaters and even barbecues.

Weld to Life is a collaboration between Rockingham PCYC, Department of Education and Southwest Metropolitan TAFE.