SIT Open Day Draws Big Crowd From 30 Schools

More than 650 secondary school students descended on Southern Institute of Technology last Friday to see what happens after school ends.

The open day at Hansen Hall showcased SIT's 190-plus courses across everything from electrical and automotive to beauty therapy and nursing. Students from 30 schools across the southern region toured workshops, grilled tutors and sampled free food.

The weather delivered. Invercargill put on a sunny, calm autumn day that let students spill outside for barbecue sausages and live music from SIT students.

Year 12 Aurora College student Tyla Dunn came to check out cookery programmes with her mother Jolene Dunn and sister Alannah Manukau. The vet nursing display caught her eye — complete with a friendly long-haired dachshund — but the visit confirmed her cookery plans. "Coming along has helped," she said.

Jolene Dunn thought the day delivered. "It's really good and very interactive; the SIT staff have been very kind and it's been great," she said.

South Otago High School brought three vanloads of students down from Balclutha. STAR gateway coordinator Willow Lunam said her students were enjoying themselves. She toured the nursing clinical suites and beauty therapy facilities. "It was really informative," Lunam said of the nursing tour. The beauty therapy setup impressed her too. "It's a nice set-up."

The nursing demonstrations proved popular. Second-year student nurses showed blood pressure checks, CPR, high-fidelity mannequins and wound care. The automotive workshop and beauty therapy treatment rooms also drew crowds.

SIT marketing manager Warrick Low called it a win for everyone involved. "This is why we do what we do; seeing youth thinking about their options – we're here to assist in them finding the right qualification which will facilitate a successful pathway into work. That, plus showing off the great kit and people SIT has; very southern proud!"