CAST > Education > Undergraduate Education

Undergraduate Education

CAST encourages undergraduate involvement in light metals through the presentation of undergraduate courses in Materials Engineering in both the university and TAFE sectors and by supporting programs of Honours research. These activities complement our PhD and Masters programs and are integrated into core CAST research activities. CAST aims to coordinate a national approach to the training of undergraduates and technicians in the light metals fields of production, fabrication, design and application. The educational and research activities of CAST's university, research and industry partners are complementary and provide the opportunity to develop interchangeable coursework modules usable at all Universities and for CAST training programs.

CAST also assists undergraduate and school students with an interest in light metals, to obtain vacation placements with our industry and research partners. Nine students were selected to be part of CAST's vacation employment program over the past year. Vacation student positions were arranged jointly between CAST and CSIRO, Nissan, Excel Pacific, Ferra Engineering, Monash University, Swinburne University of Technology and The University of Queensland.

In order to develop the integrated Light Metals Education program greater involvement with the TAFE sector has been developed over the last year. With the assistance of the Victorian Government CAST staff prepared and delivered a Light Metals Technology Course for TAFE and High School teachers. The course content has been made available to these teachers in order to promote the industry and has been incorporated into high school chemistry classes, TAFE automotive design courses and work experience programs.