“Made in Ballarat”: Future STEM talent inspired during Made in Australia week
Fifty Year 9 and 10 students from 12 secondary schools across the Ballarat region will step inside the world of industrial chemistry and engineering this week as part of the Ballarat Tech School’s STEM Academy Engineering Program, proudly supported by Haymes Paint.
Coinciding with Made in Australia Week, the immersive program has been developed collaboratively between Ballarat Tech School and the technical experts at Haymes Paint, giving students a rare behind-the-scenes look at the science, technology and innovation behind one of Australia’s most recognised paint manufacturers – proudly made in Ballarat.
Students will undertake a guided visit to the Haymes Paint research and production facility in Mitchell Park alongside a specially designed Paint Laboratory experience delivered at Ballarat Tech School, located at Federation University’s SMB Campus.
Working directly with raw materials supplied by Haymes Paint, students will mix base paint, test performance, analyse faults, design formulations and explore colour science – the same processes used every day by professional chemists, engineers and manufacturing teams.
Students will also hear directly from local engineers and scientists – providing firsthand insight into how they got their start and where their careers have taken them.
The hands-on experience is designed to inspire the next generation of STEM talent by connecting students with real-world applications, said STEM Pathways and Partnerships Manager Kirstyn Hall.
“This program takes what students learn in the classroom and brings it to life with hands-on experience,” she said.
“By working with the same materials and processes involved in paint manufacturing, students gain a practical understanding of how STEM skills are applied every day in advanced manufacturing, chemistry and engineering careers.”
As Australia celebrates Made in Australia Week, the partnership also highlights the importance of local manufacturing and the role industry can play in building future career pathways for young people.
“It’s not just made in Australia, it’s made in Ballarat,” Rod Walton, CEO of Haymes Paint, said.
“That’s something we’re incredibly proud of, and it’s important young people can see what that looks like in practice – right here in their own community.”
“For us, it’s about opening doors – helping students understand there are rewarding, high-skilled careers here in Ballarat, and that companies like ours rely on the next generation of local talent.”
As Australia’s largest family-owned paint manufacturer, Haymes Paint has built a national reputation for quality and innovation while remaining proudly headquartered in Ballarat for more than 90 years.
The STEM Academy is a four-day program delivered across two terms in collaboration with two key local manufacturing industry partners, Gekko and Haymes. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment between education and industry to create meaningful pathways into STEM, advanced manufacturing and engineering careers for students in Ballarat.