Female students in electrifying innovation

FOUR-wheel driving is going electric, thanks an initiative involving twenty young women from four Bendigo schools.

Bendigo Tech School has partnered with Jaunt Motors for the project which will see the female students convert a three-door Range Rover into an electric car.

Director of Bendigo Tech School Graeme Wiggins said the school is always looking to give young people, especially women, the skills required for future work.

“With our industry partners, we encourage females to pursue careers in manufacturing,” he said.

“Attracting and retaining more women in STEAM careers is important to continuing a strong local manufacturing sector.”

The program is sponsored by Kirkland-Lake Gold through its Community Partnership Project and is part of the NGV Design Week celebrations.

Automotive company Jaunt Motors has identified the opportunity to build electric motor vehicles that suit adventure lifestyles in Australia and converts classic Land Rover engines to Tesla motors.

Not only does their work result in a more environmentally friendly adventure vehicle, it also provides students with an opportunity to learn about mechanical innovation.

The initiative is expected to take all year, with the final result being a fully electric 4WD available for hire as a community enterprise project.

Kirkland-Lake Gold director of environment and government relations Felicia Binks said the opportunity will garner awareness for young women looking for new career pathways.

“Bringing gender balance to traditionally male-dominated industries creates new opportunities for women and strengthens the businesses that employ them,” she said.

Bendigo Tech School is one of ten secondary schools in Victoria delivering innovative projects designed to give students a creative outlet for problem solving, and inspire careers in science, technology, engineering, arts and maths.