Hands on experience at tool skills day

Exposing women to career opportunities in the timber industry

In partnership with Empowered Women in Trades, OneFortyOne recently welcomed 16 women on site to take part in a Tool Skills Day at their Jubilee Sawmill.

Connected through the PINE Community Grants Program, Empowered Women in Trades facilitated the day at the local sawmill, including practical activities and positive psychology sessions.

OneFortyOne Jubilee Sawmill General Manager Nigel Boyd said the Tool Skills Day was a unique opportunity for new people to see beyond the gates and meet the Jubilee teams.

“For us it was also an amazing chance to discover how much passion and potential is out there,” Nigel said. “Throughout the day the women who attended realised how much capability they already had, even if they had no prior experience or if their past experiences initially seemed unrelated. They had transferable skills, and most importantly the drive to learn.”

Part of the day included positive psychology sessions run by EWIT, helping participants with the skills and confidence to enter a male dominated workplace.

The hands on activities included manufacturing an extension lead, and heat mapping with the support of the Jubilee Maintenance team.

Abby Thompson attended the Tool Skills Day and said the experience grew her passion to take up a trade. “I really liked the practical tasks and learning how the tools and equipment worked,” Abby said. “I’m really interested in a trade, building and fixing things just feels like a natural fit for me.

“On the day I learned how to make an extension lead, how the mill works, and also gained knowledge to help me choose a career. I’ve already applied for the OneFortyOne apprenticeship program.”

Nigel said that the day opened a new pathway to connecting with a different demographic, compared to the traditionally male dominated workforce.

“The interest from women, and the capability, is definitely out there,” Nigel said. “It’s just a matter of giving someone different a chance and creating pathways like this to make this possible.”

The OneFortyOne apprenticeship program is still open for applications for electricians, mechanical fitters, and saw technicians until Wednesday 5th July. For more information see www.onefortyone.com/careers

GETTING DOWN & DIRTY: (Main) Tool Skills Day participants, Jubilee
Maintenance team members, and Empowered Women in Trades
program managers finish the day.

TOOL SKILLS DAY: (Right) Hallie Franks, Jaimee Smith, Abby Thompson with
their tagged and tested extension lead