Young people across the country are seeing what it takes to work in a trade professional through WorldSkills Australia’s Try’aSkill program.
Primary and secondary school students can try their hand at a variety of trades and skills ranging from floristry and fashion technology to plumbing and graphic design. The activities are designed to interest and inspire students to consider a vocational education or training pathway by engaging them with a fun trade-related activity. Skilled tradespeople will test the students with “hands-on” experiences including:
- Hairdressing – Make curls using a GHD styling tool.
- Automotive – Disassemble a real engine component.
- Restaurant – Create yummy “mocktails”.
- Engineering – Build a tower using dry spaghetti.
The students also have the opportunity to interact with apprentices, teachers, trainers, local business owners and industry experts to learn about the benefits of choosing a vocational education and training pathway.
The Try’aSkill program (sometimes called Try’aTrade) is an important step for promoting trade vocations as viable career pathways. A national survey conducted by WorldSkills Australia in 2014 showed that more than two-thirds of respondents had never even considered a career in a trade-based industry, with uncertainty about the types of VET qualifications offered being a common statement.
“One of our aims is to continually highlight the career opportunities that are available via a vocational education and training pathway, and the WorldSkills Australia Try’aSkill program is integral to us achieving this aim,” says WorldSkills Australia CEO, Mark Callaghan. “At a time where the status of VET still suffers in comparison to a university education, Try’aSkill showcases careers in skills and trades as viable first-choice career options.”
Several Try’aSkill events are scheduled across the country from this month onward, including at Tamworth Regional Entertainment & Conference Centre (Tamworth, NSW) and Burnie Arts & Function Centre (Burnie, TAS) on 20 May, Fred Moule Exhibition Centre at Cairns Showgrounds (Parramatta Park, QLD) on 21 May, and Bundaberg Civic Centre (Bundaberg, QLD) on 26 May.
