Monaro High student Archie Blyton is a big supporter of a new school-based training program delivered onsite at a Snowy 2.0 worksite in Cooma.

“It’s definitely made finishing Year 12 a lot easier for me – bit more hands on than in the books,” he said.

18-year-old Archie is one of eight students to have just graduated from a Certificate II in Supply Chain Operations developed by the Department of Education’s School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBAT), Monaro High, the local TAFE and the Snowy 2.0 team.

“We’ve seen the Snowy project since I was young - it’s eye opening. I’ve actually made trips to the site and it's good to be involved,” Archie said.

During Year 11 and 12, the eight Monaro High students had one day of paid work over two years onsite at Snowy 2.0, learning skills in logistics and safety and how supply chains work in the real world. They spent another day at TAFE and three days at school completing their Year 12 studies.

NSW Skills Minister, Steve Whan, handed the students their certificates during a ceremony at the Snowy Segment factory in Cooma where more than 100,000 concrete segments have been produced to line the 27 kilometres of tunnels for the pumped-hydro megaproject.

“It's a really exciting career chance for the students; it’s a really positive thing,” Mr Whan said. “We know the Snowy 2.0 project is a game-changer for the region, and this program is making sure local young people are ready to be part of it.”

Mr Whan praised Monaro High Principal James Armitage for his work in delivering the school-based training.

“It’s fantastic work linking with this opportunity particularly in country areas,” he said. “The skills and credentials these students have earned will form the basis of great careers; there is the prospect of working near home but also a skill that is in high demand across the economy.”

Around 30 local high school students have completed various Snowy 2.0 SBAT qualifications and 12 have then gone into full-time jobs on Australia’s largest renewable energy project.

“I’d really like to thank Snowy Hydro, Future Generation and NX Blue Recruit for the success of the last five years of our school-based apprenticeships and training and we’re hoping this partnership can continue into the future,” Monaro High Principal James Armitage said.

Archie Blyton hopes his qualification will land him a job in the construction industry, once he completes Year 12.

“I definitely want to stay in the construction industry – open to all options.”