151 Golden Years Celebration - SMB - Educating a Workforce for the World
From Stephanie Davison
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From Stephanie Davison
Federation University celebrates 151 years of continuous learning, teaching and research in Geosciences with a series of public presentations exploring historical, archaeological, economic and social influences associated with mining in central Victoria.
SMB - Educating a Workforce for the World, Professor Erik Eklund, Federation University
Abstract: From the late 1850s mining was changing rapidly with new developments, new techniques and new challenges. The Ballarat School of Mines was established as part of a global movement to develop technical expertise and professionalise the industry.
SMB went on to prepare and educate a workforce who not only found employment in the mines of Victoria and beyond, but who branched out into entirely unrelated industries. The SMB graduates became part of a mobile skilled global workforce seen not just as technical leaders but as managers and entrepreneurs of the new industrial age.
Biography: Erik’s interest is in regional and community history, particularly regarding mining and industrial heritage. He has won awards for his writing on these themes including the New South Wales Premier’s Prize for Regional and Community History in 2003, for his book Steel Town.
Erik has held teaching, research and management positions at universities in Dublin, Washington DC Canberra and Newcastle and now holds a chair in Australian history at Federation University.