Future tradies were given an inside look at one of Melbourne Water’s biggest pipeline upgrade projects happening in the outer east last week.
Learning about the installation of a new underground water pipeline that will service 400,000 Melburnians when finished, the invited a group of Swinburne Vocational Education and Training (VET) students visited the Kilsyth to Croydon Water Main Renewal project on Monday 6 August.
The Kilsyth to Croydon water mains project is replacing ageing sections of a 4.5km underground water pipeline with two new water mains, each spanning an impressive 1.35m in diameter.
The students – studying electrical, plumbing and welding TAFE courses – didn’t have to travel far for the visit, with the pipeline currently being laid near the fence line of the Swinburne Croydon campus as part of a staged rollout over 18 months.
“We were thrilled to give the students a first-hand experience of being onsite at a major infrastructure project. The Kilsyth to Croydon mains project is crucial for improving our water infrastructure, and we hope the visit inspires the next generation of tradespeople,” Melbourne Water senior project manager Luis Plata said.
Mr Plata said the visit helped lift students’ understanding of the complexities of major water infrastructure projects and how their training and skills could help deliver such projects.
“We’re committed to providing opportunities for students to engage with real-world projects and foster interest and skills in the water sector,” he said.
“Installing new water pipelines between Kilsyth and Croydon will reduce water disruptions due to leaks and allow us to provide a safe and reliable water supply now and into the future.”
Swinburne’s director of trades and engineering technologies Bryan Ornsby said students were able to build on the skills they learnt in the classroom during the field experience.
“The site visit with Melbourne Water was so valuable for our students,” he said.
“Seeing the practical application of what they are learning in the classroom brings their studies to life and highlights the contribution they can make to major infrastructure projects in their future careers in construction.
“The students got real insight into the complexities of large-scale construction projects and an understanding of how this project will enhance water distribution to the 400,000 people who live in the region.”
The visit included a site induction, learning about personal protective equipment, observing channelling and pipeline laying, and having the opportunity to ask the crew questions.
The Kilsyth to Croydon project commenced in 2022 and is scheduled to complete on schedule by the end of 2024.
