Event sponsor Master Builders Victoria presented six students with new workboots.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
Benalla P-12 College students had an opportunity to be inspired and learn more about employment pathways at a special expo on Thursday, August 27.
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The Tradies Toolbox Roadshow, organised by NE Tracks LLEN with the support of several sponsors, arranged for 11 local businesses to attend Benalla P-12 College’s Faithfull St campus for the event.
The roadshow, which will also be visiting Benalla’s Australian Christian College, is a face-to-face career exploration event developed in response to a growing demand for skilled tradespeople across north-east Victoria.
The Benalla Lions Club was on hand to feed everyone in attendance at the Tradies Toolbox Roadshow.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
It brought secondary school students, local tradespeople, apprentices, employers and training and apprenticeship organisations together, with the aim of giving students an opportunity to engage directly with industry.
At the event Ne Tracks LLEN program co-ordinator Annette Borradale said there was a great range of exhibitors in attendance.
“We’ve got everything from agriculture through to auto electricians,” she said.
“And I want to give a special shout out to North East Tree Services who are here today.
Benalla's Spot on Sparky was one of the many industry exhibitors at the Tradies Toolbox Roadshow at Benalla P-12 College on Thursday, August 27.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
“They’ve been sponsoring our events for three and a half years. Without their support about half the events we do probably couldn’t take place.”
Another event sponsor, Master Builders Victoria, donated six pairs of work boots to local students on the day.
NE Tracks LLEN chief executive Tim Oliver thanked everyone in attendance before calling up the six lucky students to get their new boots.
“The purpose of today is to provide an opportunity for students to talk to some local business owners and their teams and particularly some of the apprentices,” he said.
“In the not too distant future, you may well be working with or working towards a place with one of these businesses.”
Tradies Toolbox sponsor North East Tree Services discusses apprenticeship opportunities with Benalla P-12 students.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
Tim then thanked the Benalla Lions for cooking breakfast at the event before naming the six students who would be getting new boots.
They were Lachlan Kennedy, Seth Walker, Maddie Wilson, Nick Batman, Brayden Jones and Morgan Howe.
While they all walked away with new work boots all students in attendance would have left with a better idea about pathways into the workforce.
One of the experts in attendance to assist with that was Craig Sharrock from Apprenticeship Group Australia.
Benalla P-12 College students chat to representatives of Thales.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
“The best thing I talk to students about is getting out and getting experience,” he said.
“My big talk here with all the kids is go out and get as much experience as you can doing all different trades.
“Even if you're going to uni, find out if you want to be a nurse, if you want to be a paramedic, if you want to be a surgical nurse, if you want to be in aged care.
“Then get yourself out there, get on the front foot, have your resume done and go out and volunteer to work at all the places you want to work.
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