Shannon Sampson and Lara Strong after Lara’s work experience at Sambo’s Electrical.
With vast employment opportunities and national demand for workers in the construction and trade services industries, students at Deniliquin High School have gained work experience while changing perceptions in the sector.
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Female Year 10 students participated in the Breaking Barriers - girls in non-traditional roles program last week.
Eleven students were placed with 10 different regional employers to gain work experience in roles that are traditionally filled by men.
Deniliquin High School’s careers adviser Pam Sinha said the school partnered with Regional Industry Education Partnerships senior project officer Katie Friedlieb and the SQUAD training organisation to run the program, which was funded by the NSW Department of Education
The students were given appropriate work wear and free Work Health and Safety white card training as part of the program.
“They supplied these students with a full work kit, work pants, high vis shirts and work boots, eliminating the barrier of appropriate work wear,” Ms Sinha said.
“The program is about work experience and readiness education to supercharge the girls’ career journey, challenging stereotypes and paving the way for a more inclusive future in the world of non-traditional trades.
“Being in a rural location, our students are not used to seeing women in trades, and we have a belief that if students can’t see it, they can’t be it.”
More importantly, Ms Sinha said the program has become a step towards work opportunities in the industry for the participants.
“One of our students was in the same program last year, and she was offered an apprenticeship and is planning on taking it once she gets her licence,” she said.
In her report to SQUAD on the program, participant Ava Richards said the experience gave her “the opportunity to use all the tools and really get to know what the construction industry is like”.
“It was definitely outside of my comfort zone, but I love challenges and thoroughly enjoyed everything I got to do,” she said.
Willow Lake working at Murray Constructions.
Ava Richards working with B Green Constructions.
Miley McCully working at Travis McCully Constructions.
Lara Strong working at Sambo’s Electrical.
The workplace of Remi Baulch gaining work experience as a heavy diesel mechanic at Murray Shire Council.
Willow Lake after working at Murray Contructions.
Rain Jones Clark working at Jonas Elphick Painting.
Rain Jones Clark painting with Jonas Elphick Painting.
