Emerald drone pilot students help assess council rooftops

Central Highlands Regional Council has partnered with Marist College Emerald students to carry out a  solar suitability assessment on council facility rooftops.

The students are completing a Certificate III in Aviation Remote Pilot course and will be using a drone to gather data for a visual inspection.

Marist College’s RTO and Vocational Skills Manager Monique Evans said the students were very excited to have the opportunity to operate drones in a real-life working scenario.

‘Council have been strong supporters of our innovative training model from its conception three years ago,’ Ms Evans said.

‘This practical experience is invaluable, there’s a lot more to being a drone pilot than just flying.

‘Industry relevant knowledge is only acquired through real projects where we have to go through risk management and approval processes.’

Mayor Kerry Hayes said council’s solar suitability assessment was a result of an energy audit and council’s ongoing commitment to the Clean Growth Choices program.

‘We were planning the roof solar suitability assessment when we learnt of Marist College looking for a project for their drone pilot students,’ he said.

‘It’s fantastic to know that we can help young people in our region gain practical experience in modern technology industry practices like commercial drone use.

‘I hope it will provide them with the experience they need to forge their careers in growing technology industries.’

Mayor Hayes said their work would be an important part of the assessment.

‘The drone footage will provide reliable data to assess the suitability of the rooftops, any required repairs and replacements prior to solar panel installation.’

Council completed an energy service review on 20 sites in partnership with Peak Services and the Local Government Association Queensland’s LG Sherlock data program. As a significant energy consumer and participant in the Clean Growth Choices program, the council has committed to not only monitor energy consumption but to explore and implement renewable energy alternatives.

Named as one of Queensland’s top-three finalists for the 2020 Premier’s Industry Collaboration Award, the ‘Drones in Schools’ project led by Marist College Emerald is creating opportunities for students to develop vocational STEM skills.

The Central Highlands Vocational Education and Training Network is a collective of state, independent and Catholic schools working together with industry and government to deliver nationally recognised and industry-relevant qualifications across the Isaac and Central Highlands regions. Demonstrating that innovation finds opportunity in adversity, the Central Highlands Vocational Education and Training Network has set a new standard for delivering vocational education and training in schools.