The first event of its kind to run in Bega aimed to give students experience of different types of engineering jobs.
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The Power of Engineering was held in the town on Monday, May 13, with coordinator and Bega High School teacher Hannah Shaw saying it was important to encourage students into the industry.
"I think it's the most versatile skill set you can equip yourself with," she said.
"Life is getting more complex and problem solving is essential.
"It's meaningful work and you can do it anywhere."
She said there was currently a shortage of engineering workers in Australia, with 50 per cent of the engineering talent imported into the country.
Part of the reason why this was the case was related to the decline in students taking up science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects while at school, as well as the fact the first year of an engineering degree at university was "pretty hardcore", she said.
Eighty five Year 9 and 10 students from Bega High, Sapphire Coast Anglican College, Lumen Christi Catholic College, Eden Marine High, Bombala High and Narooma High attended the event to learn about engineering.
This was done through presentations by guest speakers, workshops and site visits to locations such as a civil construction project, the central waste facility and a playground in Tathra.