Learning with our Industry Partners

15 Sep 2020

In 2020, Precision Metal Group (PMG) and Lincoln Electric have partnered with Parramatta Marist to develop an ongoing metals and welding program with an interest to foster STEM skills so that our students are better prepared to contribute to Australia's rapidly growing advanced fabrication and (high-end) manufacturing industries; innovation and self-sufficiency in a rapidly polarising world being the goal of the Australian government.

Precision Metal Group owner, Old Boy Jason Elias (PMH School Certificate Class of '95) and fellow industry partner, Charles Elbayeh (also an Old Boy from the PMH Class of '98), believed that Parramatta Marist was the right place to start this initiative as we had many talented students with various skills ranging from potential high-end and industrial welders and designers through to mechanical engineers. "All types of skills and school graduates are needed to (re-)build the manufacturing base here in Australia" says Jason.

Precision Metal Group has a number of Australian Defence contracts including the assembly and manufacturing of the new Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle from Rheinmetall Defence Australia - a subsidiary of the German defence contractor that also supplies the Boxer CRV to the Bundeswehr (German Army). Jason continues: "An important aspect of this defence project is the need for high-skilled armoured welders whose attention to detail is critical so that Australian troops are kept safe in any theatre that these armoured vehicles go" (PMG was the first contractor certified to perform this welding in the southern hemisphere by the German parent company and continue to lead the way for other SME’s).

Jason and Charles are pictured below conducting a safety workshop with our Year 10 iSTEM boys in preparation for welding training with industry leaders.

To begin, our Year 10 iSTEM boys will rotate through fortnightly 2-hour welding core skills workshops, while self-nominated students will undertake intensive welding training at Precision's facility in Wetherill Park. Our shared vision is to have more and more students exposed to the industry as well as be certified as armoured vehicle welders before they graduate from Parramatta Marist, providing them with pathways supported by a skill set in demand by Australian Defence Force.

For the boys at Parra Marist, the sky's the limit. I only wish that we had the same opportunities back in my day. It would have saved me five years.

Jason Elias (Founder and CEO of Precision Metal Group).

Our wonderful partnership with Precision Metals and Lincoln Electric has raised again the standard and opportunities available through an integrative STEM education at Parramatta Marist. We are also aware that our students represent a sound investment for future employers, as they carry a love of work and family spirit. On this trajectory, Australian manufacturing can expect to reach new, uncharted heights.