TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND TAFE TAPS INTO FEMALE TALENT

A new employment program in Cairns will encourage more women to embark on careers in plumbing.

Acting Premier Paul Lucas said the 16-week program, called Tap Girls, will train 15 women in the Cairns region, culminating with full-time employment as apprentice plumbers.

“Tropical North Queensland TAFE was approached by the local plumbing industry to provide apprenticeship pathways for women,” Mr Lucas said.

“Tap Girls is a great opportunity for women in the region to enter the plumbing trade and it also helps alleviate the current skill shortage in the far north.

“Through Tap Girls, participants will undertake a combination of intensive prevocational training—equivalent to first year apprentice training—as well as on-the-job work experience.

“They will then be placed into plumbing apprenticeships with local employers.

“Women account for two per cent of the total blue collar workforce in far north Queensland and a program such as Tap Girls can make real improvements on this.”

The Tap Girls program follows last year’s successful Girls with Spark program which resulted in 13 women gaining places as apprentice electricians.

Tap Girls is a joint initiative of Tropical North Queensland TAFE and Construction Skills Queensland which has provided $150,000 in funding.

The program comes at no cost to participants and includes uniforms and a tool kit worth $600. Tap Girls employers are also eligible for wage subsidies.

People seeking more information on the program can call Tropical North Queensland TAFE on 1300 656 959.

Media contact: Steve Keating 0408 720 081