Events

All Girls Can – Try a Trade Day

On Friday March 6 2020, Future Connect facilitated the very All Girls Can – Try a Trade Day at the AGA Trade Training Centre in Derrimut.

All Girls Can – Try a Trade Day was for girls who:

• Are in year 10 in 2020; and
• Know that a career in one of the trade areas is for them; or
• Have shown a strong interest in pursuing a trade and may not get the full benefit of the AGA Open Day e.g. may not get involved in activities; or
• Have shown ability, skill or interest in trade and do not know what the next steps are.

This is a strategically focused event was organised to help remove some of the barriers some girls may feel about pursuing a non-traditional career in trade.

The full day event started with a round robin rotation through 4 trades, including automotive, electrical, carpentry and plumbing. Each activity was hands on allowing many girls to pick up a tool for the very first time.

During the lunch break we had a Showcase event that included a number of organisations across different trades, suppliers, and pathway and apprenticeship support networks. Girls visited each stand and asked the organisation a series of questions in order to get their trade passport stamped. This was a great opportunity for the girls to find out more about how organisations support women in trade.

The afternoon session was a panel style Q&A session with a group of amazing women working in trade or male dominated industries. These women are all strong advocates for women in trade and are doing a great job to break the male/female stereotypes.

It was a great day that inspired a group of girls who now know that if they want to pursue a career in trade they can and there are many people and organisations to support them along the way. Hopefully, this is the first of many All Girls Can events to come.

Future Connect is extremely grateful for the hard work and support of everyone who helped bring the event together, it was great to work with such supportive and enthusiastic people who are also wanting to break the mould!

A special thank you goes to our panel members who gave up their own time to be part of the day, without them we would not have been able to deliver such a great event.

This event was a success thanks to:

• AGA Staff and Students for hosting the event and coordinating the hands-on activities

Showcase Organisations:

• Bunnings Caroline Springs
• Master Plumbers
• Tradeswomen Australia
• Australian Apprenticeship Support Network
• AGA Field Officers

Our Amazing Panelists:

• Stefanie Apostolidis, Carpenter and creator of Tradie Lady Club @tlcbymcc
• Beth Moresi, Carpenter @bethbuilds
• Izzy Silvey, Health and Safety Advisor within the transport industry and one half of the DIY and reno duo @thehousethathessbuilt
• Kimberly Smyth owner of @heysistaplumbing
• Emily Waras, Electrician @emilywaras
• Casey Holt, AGA Apprentice