By BRIDGET COOK
WOMEN from across the region got some hands-on experience working with tools to help give them a kick-start in a career in the trades sector.
Twelve women took part in the four-hour Skill Women Trade Workshop at Chisholm TAFE in Cranbourne on Monday, which was led by female trade-trainers.
Participants learned about safe use of composite saws, jigsaws and impact drivers, as well as handsaws and set squares.
They made caddies from timber as a take-home souvenir of their lesson and also heard about career opportunities for women in the trades sector.
Those involved in the session included an apiarist from Ranceby, a beef farmer from Jindivick, another from Clyde North, a vegetable grower, an interior designer and a potential carpentry apprentice.
Agribusiness Gippsland executive officer Sue Webster said women from Korumburra to Wonga Park took park to get to grips with power and hand tools.
“Agriculture needs the knowhow of skilled tradespeople both on-farm and in the factory,” she said.
“Farmers, plumbers, welders, pump technicians, refrigeration mechanics, electricians, diesel and automotive experts – they all contribute to the agricultural output of Gippsland.
“And there’s no reason why these workers cannot be female.”
The group heard about the career paths of the female trainers – all members of the NSW-based group Support and Linking Tradeswomen (SALT).
Some of the SALT trainers had come to trades careers post-university, others in the midst of child-rearing.
Some of the trainers took it on through an interest in renovation and restoration and others for the lifestyle and independence.
Ms Webster said it was a highly successful day, with a number of women asking for follow-up sessions.
“The Cranbourne campus of Chisholm offered us free use of its facilities – and having seen the venue, some of the participants now are interested in taking up training there too,” she said.
The program was backed by the State Government and supported by the Department of Human Services and Youth Central.
