Close to a thousand students spent two days at South West TAFE’s Sherwood Park campus this week getting their hands on everything from robotics to horses. 

Dubbed Try a Career Day, it was exactly what it sounded like and made for quite a sight. 

Some students saddled up for equine classes, others armed with power tools pulled things apart.

Engines were opened, pipes cut and cooking ingredients spread out. 

It’s the fifth year TAFE and South West Local Learning & Employment Network have staged the event, hoping to turn young minds to thinking about their future. 

“The idea is to bring all year 9 students from the district — so that’s Warrnambool, Corangamite and Moyne — where they participate in three activities of an hour-and-a-half so they can experience a VET course,” organiser Paul Atack said. 

“We would have close to 900 (students) over two days. 

“It’s trying to assist with their selection of subjects for VCE. Some schools start VET in year 10.”

The employment leader and former Warrnambool College Principal said career plans didn’t always come easily to 15-year-olds. 

“You might not be specific but you’ll have some ideas,” he said.