The Andrews Labor Government is backing female and non-binary high school students to embark on a trade or tech-based career, with this year’s Trades Fit expo showcasing careers at the biggest expo of its kind in Victoria.
The Trades Fit expo held this week at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre showcases the myriad of rewarding and well-paid career opportunities for young women and non-binary students, providing information and pathways across a range of in demand and emerging industries.
Offering hands-on learning experiences, technology displays, information sessions and panel discussions, the two-day event encourages students in Year 9 to 12 to explore exciting careers in traditionally male-dominated fields.
Bringing together more than 3000 students and almost 120 schools, the expo features more than 90 exhibitors including Amazon, Ford, Woolworths and Star of the South – supporting more women to consider taking up a tech or trade career by providing an expo experience that puts them first.
The expo includes interactive experiences across building and construction, electrical engineering, plumbing, automotive, transport, marine aviation, robotics, mining, agriculture and clean energy, with students able to try their hand at bricklaying, learn virtual welding or even take to the skies in a flight simulator.
The Labor Government is making it easier than ever for young people to pursue their talent at high school, with the expo showcasing many of the career opportunities now available through the introduction of the new VCE Vocational Major this year.
The VCE Vocational Major gives students a jobs ready edge, allowing them to undertake one or more VET qualifications, or an apprenticeship or traineeship, all while completing their VCE.
The Trades Fit expo complements the Labor Government’s continued investment in providing students hands-on, high-tech learning experiences outside of the classroom, including a $116 million to build 6 new Tech Schools in Brimbank, Dandenong, Frankston, Hume, Wangaratta and Warrnambool.
This new investment builds on a $179.9 million investment which delivered 10 Tech Schools across the state, removing barriers and widening opportunities for girls to access technology, understand pathways into STEM and learn from mentors and industry role models.
The Trades Fit expo is on May 10 and 11 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, for more information visit vic.gov.au/trades-fit-young-women-trades-and-tech.
As stated by Minister for Education Natalie Hutchins
“We’re backing young women and non-binary students to explore the rewarding and well-paid opportunities available to them, while providing them with more support and pathways than ever before to start their dream job.”
“Through initiatives like The Trades Fit expo we’re delivering better gender equity and workplace inclusion, with opportunities for women in traditionally male-dominated trades and industries.”
