Pre-apprenticeship Course

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

The 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 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

Equipment (PPE) backpack consisting of gloves, hard hat, eye and ear protection, hi-vis shirts, water bottle and carpenters’ pencil – everything they’ll need to start their first day at work safely. On successful completion, the participants will also come away with a number of units of competency that will count towards their carpentry trade qualification when they commence their apprenticeship. “My favourite part of the pre-apprenticeship was the practical training, I loved getting in there and building things and learning how to use the power tools” Says Nicole Sultana. In addition to their training, each participant receives two days of work experience. According to Jody McGann, “The work experience is an important component of the program; it allows our participants to transfer the skills and practical experience they’ve learned in the classroom to a real building site and helps them decide if the industry is right for them. It also provides the builder who is looking for an apprentice some first-hand insight into a potential apprenticeship candidate for their business”. “I had a really positive work experience which has resulted in me securing a fulltime apprenticeship with House to Home Constructions. I got to work in a beautiful part of the central coast on a large residential property. Over the two days I got to do a lot of different jobs and there was plenty of variety. My training employer Greg was really easy to get along with and very supportive. The other apprentices on site were also accepting and very easy to talk to and shared their stories with me” says Candice Arnall. The results of the program speak for themselves with 4 participants already securing an apprenticeship before the program even concluded plus another 3 currently interviewing for positions. “MBA NSW is extremely proud of the level of female participation that we have been able to achieve. Women currently account for over 6% of all of MBA NSW carpentry apprentices compared to a state average of just 1.9%. Of the total 196 female carpentry apprentices in NSW, 15 (7.65%) are MBA NSW apprentices. We want to see this number continue to grow and our all-female preapprenticeship program is a great way to help make this happen” says Jody McGann. “I’d 100% recommend this program to other women considering a career in building and construction. A lot more women would get into the industry if they knew about this program and knew there was a safe environment for women where they didn’t feel intimidated” says Candice Arnall. Kate Daffrun agrees saying “I’d definitely recommend this course to other women. I felt completely supported and I didn’t feel any less because I was female. I had such a great experience and I feel encouraged about my future and seeing more women in the industry”. Female apprentices sharing their knowledge with pre-apprentices about what it’s like working on site in residential and commercial.