GIRLS’ INTEREST SPARKED IN ELECTRICAL TRADE

An initiative to encourage more women to enter the traditionally male-dominated electrical trade was launched in Cairns today.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education and Training, Bonny Barry, said Girls with Spark was a joint initiative of Tropical North Queensland TAFE and local employers to provide 14 women with training at TAFE and work with local host employers.

The Building and Construction Industry Training Fund is also supporting the initiative by contributing $5000 to each host employer and $1000 per apprentice to Tropical North Queensland TAFE to help cover training and administration costs.

“This project is the first of its kind in Queensland and demonstrates what can be achieved when Government and industry work together,” Ms Barry said.

“Girls with Spark is part of TAFE’s aim to work with local employers to help attract more female workers to crucial trades.

“It also supports the Beattie Government’s $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan to help address skills shortages in identified areas, while helping launch a fulfilling career for the participating women.

“Girls with Spark is a significant step forward in making trades more accessible to women.

“It sweeps aside old-fashioned stereotypes and takes a positive approach to encourage young women to enter, and remain, in trade areas.”

Project participants are currently undergoing 13 weeks of pre-vocational training in a women-only group to boost their skills and confidence, before starting work with their employers.

Ms Barry said the Far North region was leading the way in encouraging women to take up trades.

“More women are taking on trades training this year than ever before as part of Tropical North Queensland TAFE’s trade training pre-vocational programs,” she said.

“In total, 21 women are enrolled across automotive, construction, electrical, refrigeration and metal fabrication prevocational programs.”

Media contact: Marnie Stitz on 0419 734 985