Earning Criteria

• Importance of PPE - Earners have participated in a tour of the Victorian Tunnelling Centre, including the Safety Demonstration Centre. Here, earners discovered the importance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and how to safely work with tools, construction equipment, and each other.
• Investigating large tunnelling plant and communicating in an underground emergency - Earners have learnt how to use cap lamps as a communication tool underground and how to access a refuge chamber when an emergency incident occurs. Earners have participated in an Augmented Reality program that highlights the safety and functions of large tunnelling plants.
• Simulated equipment operation - Earners have used Virtual Reality to extinguish different fires with appropriate fire extinguishers. They also got hands-on with the excavator simulator, discovering how to drive the machine to dig holes.
• Safe construction site practices - Earners built an understanding of how to work safely around machinery whilst considering blind spots. They learnt about communicating with non-verbal signals, and planned a no-go zone for a live excavator.
• Role of STEM in the Big Build - Earners have participated in a Q&A panel session with industry professionals working in a range of roles within the Big Build. Earners have practised active listening skills and asked thoughtful questions about careers and pathways in the construction, infrastructure and engineering industries. Earners have learnt from industry experts in each session across the day.