Girls get hands-on with trades

By Zoe McMaugh

May 31, 2024

TAFE NSW head teacher building and construction Andrew Nichols takes Kiara Clancey (back) and Erin Baird (in harness) through the working at heights mobile training unit.

Another batch of young local women are exploring male-dominated trades as a future career through the ‘Girls Can Too!’ program.

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Administered by NSW Training Services Regional Industry Education Partnerships (RIEP) through Deniliquin TAFE, the program is being completed by Deniliquin and Finley High School students.

They are now halfway through the eight week program, which will conclude with a graduation ceremony on July 2.

Through the program, the participants gain hands-on skills and explore a range of trade pathways.

Mya Crampton and Charli Peers from Deniliquin High learning how to connect town water to homes using a variety of materials.

This year it includes concreting, plumbing, electrotechnology, construction and engineering.

As part of the program, students tour trade industries, meet with local employers, and complete work experience to see real-life tradies in action on the worksite.

The program aims to address the fact that females only make up just one per cent of workers in trades such as carpentry and plumbing.

Growing interest in these traditionally male-dominated roles and opportunities like the Girls Can Too! program are paving the way for more young women to take up apprenticeships.