Employers said it first: they want local kids in local jobs and are willing to give youth every opportunity to start a career here in the region.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Many explored that first step in a qualified career during Thursday’s Try A Trade event in Gunnedah.
From construction to community services, electrical, hospitality, automotive and more – about 100 pre-registered students had hands-on experience in possible career options.
Glenn Manny from Many Fabrications and Engineering was among the industry volunteers present. He said having fresh skills coming through the ranks is vital to local business.
“If the kids are not around, we won’t survive,” he said. “At the moment there’s a big skills shortage.”
Gunnedah’s Anthony Wicks from Stripes Engineering has been forced to employee tradesmen from the Hunter to meet demand. He would prefer not to given the additional financial outlay for accommodation and related expenses. But in the midst of a skills drain, it was the only way.
Mr Wicks said careers events like this were integral to sparking interest in trades among local youth and developing the skills base from the ground up.
It was not just the industrial trades where interest was sought by students.
Anna Dugdale from Narrabri TAFE said students understood career options in fields like childcare, mental health and nursing. But less well-known were areas in community services which encompassed the “whole of person” which asked “what’s going in their life?”
“We really opened their minds to that career possibility,” Ms Dugdale said.
It was similar theme at the business careers stand. Local accountant Treena Daniels from Everything Accounting said solid business principles could be applied to family and everyday life.
“Nearly everything you do needs a background in business,” Ms Daniels said.
Some of their student enquiries were from entrepreneurial youngsters looking to start their own small business.
Over at the automotive demonstration, trades and primary industry head teacher Steve O’Hara was guiding kids in the fundamentals of changing a car tyre.
He said the opportunities were endless for mechanical trades and work was never in short supply.
“It’s about teaching them life-long skills they can take up in other areas too,” Mr O’Hara said.
“The possibilities are great.
“A mechanical fitter won’t be without a job any time soon.”
