Hot career prospects for women in TAFE’s “Girls get Cool” program
Monday, 16 January 2012 12:11PM
Tropical North Queensland TAFE (TNQT) continues to actively encourage women to consider training for a career in traditionally male-dominated trade environments.
With women taking up only 2% of trade apprenticeships, TNQT is always looking at ways to increase this uptake and train women to enter the workforce and assist with easing the skills shortage.
In the past, TNQT has responded to the need for more female apprentices by offering 'Roller Girls', 'Girls with Spark' and 'Tap Girls' career start programs in the construction, electrical and plumbing industries.
Pre-apprentice programs give participants a kick start to gaining an apprenticeship and are highly regarded by employers seeking apprentices, TNQT Institute Director Joann Pyne said.
"In 2012, TNQT, in partnership with Venture Projects, will be offering the highly innovative, women only, 'Girls get Cool' program," Ms Pyne said.
"In this pre-apprenticeship program women study for their Certificate II in Sustainable Energy qualification and are equipped with the skills, knowledge and competencies that give them a better chance of successfully accessing apprenticeships in the electrical/refrigeration industries.
"Participants in the 'Girls get Cool' program learn tasks that directly relate to work performed by apprentices and result in a considerable reduction in the attendance time required at TAFE to gain an apprenticeship.
"Employers will appreciate that 'Girls get Cool' graduates will need to spend less time away from their places of employment as they complete their apprenticeships.
"Graduates of 'Girls get Cool' will be able to show prospective employers they are just as skilled as males to be eligible to enter an apprenticeship and have a real determination to succeed," Ms Pyne said.
Participants in other TNQT female-oriented programs have challenged the stereotypes that often exist in some of the trades.
"Prior to participating in TNQT's 'Girls with Spark' initiative, local girl Jessica Meek was finding it difficult to gain an electrical apprenticeship," Ms Pyne said.
"After becoming one of the 'Girls with Spark', Jessica went on to win the Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year award and recently won the 2011 Construction Female of the Year award.
"We are hoping that in 2012 graduates of 'Girls get Cool' can experience similar great success stories."