FEATURE
Pictured from left to right: Rwida Zoro, Amber Ayoub, Carla Vilches, Charlotte Perry – Poytress, Merry Koentjoro, Danika Gothard, Kate Daffurn-Anderson, Nicole Sultana, Rose Peck. With Master Builders Trainer Ashley Davies.
Skilling the next generation of women in trades All-female pre apprenticeship course gives taste of carpentry
T
he Master Builders Association of NSW (MBA NSW) is proud of the role they play in encouraging, recruiting, training, and ultimately finding employment for women of all ages in the building and construction industry. “We are committed to creating pathways that facilitate greater industry-wide female participation and gender equality” says Jody McGann, General Manager Education and Apprenticeships, MBA NSW. Building on an already successful PreApprenticeship Program, MBA NSW recently launched an all-female program to further encourage women to consider building and construction as a positive and rewarding career choice. “The Master Builders Pre-Apprenticeship program is a three-week entry level training program that provides an introduction into both the industry and a carpentry trade prior to commencing an apprenticeship. Our allfemale program aims to provide a safe and encouraging environment for women to learn about potential career opportunities. They gain
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MBA NSW | Issue One | January-March 2022
some hands-on work experience and become part of our community of female apprentices from the outset” says Jody McGann. Supported through funding from the NSW Government Department of Education, MBA NSW is able to offer this course at no cost to participants further breaking down barriers for women to enter the industry. The response to the program has been extremely positive with 12 participants commencing their training on January 31 and becoming the first all-female cohort. The class was originally scheduled for 18 participants, but unfortunately Covid-19 had other plans. The 6 participants unable to attend have not missed out and have been placed in subsequent Master Builder pre-apprenticeship programs. “What’s exciting is the mix of women we had participating in this program, from recent school leavers looking to start their career through to adults looking for a career change or re-entry into the workforce, the industry has something to offer everyone”. “I applied for the pre-apprenticeship program
with Master Builders specifically because it was an all-female program. Knowing I was going to be in an all-female class, I felt comfortable that I wouldn’t be judged because of my gender or my skill levels. I felt safe being with other women as I could focus on my learning and not feel intimidated in a predominantly male environment” says Kate Daffrun, from the program’s first cohort. The three-week program includes hands-on experience in entry level construction skills including: • building house frames, • demolishing structures, • and understanding measurements and calculations. Participants learn how to remain safe on site with courses such as: • Work Safely at Heights • Manual Handling • Safe Use of Power Tools. All participants receive a Personal Protective
