Sparking an interest in welding

WHEN you were in secondary school, did you dream a hands-on trade career?

BGT Jobs and Training and road transport manufacturer MaxiTrans are working together to get young people thinking about the pathway of a welding apprenticeship.

BGT’s apprenticeship and trainee consultant Julie Butler said the organisations are taking simulators to high schools across Ballarat so curious students can try their hand at welding in a safe and engaging environment.

“At the moment, there’s a national shortage for welders, so going to local schools, educating them, and showing them what welding is all about will maybe spark a bit of interest for a future career path,” she said.

“The simulators are very realistic, making the user feel as if they really are welding, and their work is put on a screen while they’re having a go, so others can watch.

“They’re given a score and percentage, and often get quite competitive about welding in a straight line.

“In the past, welding has been something students didn’t know much about, so seeing them have a go at the simulator and what they score has generated a lot of interest in the young people who are getting ready to leave school.”

The simulators travelled to three schools in term two, with many more booked in after the current mid-year holidays.

BGT are also running a separate school-based program, where students experience work placement for one day a week at employers like MaxiTrans with the aim of getting real-world training and experience.

“We’re recruiting for the future and hoping to plant some seeds in the heads of year 10 and 11 students, to consider the welding industry when they leave school,” Ms Butler said.

“We’ll keep running this, as long as the schools would like us to come out.”