Trades on show for school students

FEMALE high school students from Ballarat and the wider region have gone hands-on at a recent trades education day.

Called Girls Try-A-Trade, the event saw more than 80 year 9s and 10s head to Federation TAFE’s campus in Central Ballarat last week.

“Federation TAFE is doing everything it can to ensure that our industries reflect society while encouraging greater inclusivity,” said Liam Sloan, Federation University’s pro vice-chancellor for vocational education and training.

“Last Friday’s event was a brilliant opportunity for young women to try-a-trade and explore a non-traditional career path.”

As part of the day the students got 30-minute samplers on a range of trades and skills in areas like automotive, carpentry, engineering, cabinet making, bricklaying, and plumbing.

Some of the activities on offer included basic car maintenance, and simulated welding, and the students also took a tour of Federation TAFE’s campus.

With women underrepresented in the trades sector, Federation TAFE’s head of Centre for Design and Construction, Sharyn Wright, said events like Girls Try-A-Trade aimed to address gender imbalance.

“It is so important to engage our young women early by introducing them to trade career pathways,” she said.

“It is wonderful to have year 9 and 10 students here experiencing a snapshot of what we offer at Federation TAFE.

“I hope to see many of them come back as students and/or apprentices over the next few years.”

Local schools that took part in the day included Ballarat High School, Ballarat Specialist School, Mount Clear College, Mount Rowan Secondary College, Phoenix P-12 Community College, and Woodmans Hill Secondary College.