Ten students from Gisborne Secondary College and Kyneton High School have been working hard as part of Central Ranges Local Learning and Employment Network (CRLLEN) Women in Trades taster program.
Across six Fridays, the students worked with qualified builder Rob Evans and CRLLEN’s Tara Kirk to plan, sketch and design a pine cubby house.
The students were involved every step of the process, spending about 50 hours working on it, with the project valued at $2000 in materials alone.
“The program introduces students to carpentry before they select VET subjects,” CRLLEN chief executive Nicky Leitch said.
“These students gained practical skills and chose to auction their work to support charity.”
Kyneton High School year 10 student Jordi said the program exceeded her expectations.
“I’ve learned so much and been surrounded by amazing people. It’s actually made me consider becoming a tradie,” she said.
“We built this – that’s insane. I genuinely really enjoyed it and gained so many skills.”
The students voted to auction the cubby and donate the proceeds to charity.
CCRLEN said the success of this program means they will explore how it can be expanded next year to offer more pathways intro trades for young women across the Central Ranges region.
