Nuts and bolts of education

Morgan Vandesande, 15, works on a go-kart at the Lismore Go Kart Club track.

Jerad Williams

SCHOOL doesn't get much better than getting your hands dirty servicing go-karts.

Just ask students from Woodenbong Central School who spent a day last week degreasing engines.

“I'm hoping to get an apprenticeship as adiesel mechanic,” Michael Phelps, 16, fromUrbenville, said as he enthusiastically pulled apart one of the race machines.

“I'm the only one in my family interested in mechanics. My parents have a farm.”

Helping him out with the nuts and bolts was Morgan Vandesande, 15, from New Koreelah, outside Urbenville.

“My dad's a diesel mechanic and that's what I want to do too,” he said.

Both students are studying for certificate II in outdoor power equipment with North Coast TAFE as part of their year 10, 11 and 12 studies.

They were among 12 students who took part in the first co-operative workshop between their school, North Coast TAFE, and Lismore Go Kart Club.

Acting head teacher Bruce Montgomery said the course, TAFE VET (vocational education and training), included automotive engineering, panel beating and spray painting.

“There's lots of practical work and go-karts are a two-stroke engine, the same as chainsaws or whipper snippers,” he said.