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Tim Pallas, Treasurer and Minister for Industrial Relations visits NCAT

On Tuesday October 10th the Victorian State Government Treasurer, the Hon. Tim Pallas and the Member for Preston, Nathan Lambert, visited NCAT. The Treasurer, in his capacity as the Minister for Industrial Relations, had earlier this year signed off on the initial 12-month funding for the Bring It On! Project Worker, Brigitte Reinbold.

The Project supports the NCAT Young Women in Trades and Technology Group who are working with local colleges, companies, unions and employer groups to encourage other young school-age women to consider studies and employment in Trades and Technology.

Bring It On! is the only school-based project of this nature in Victoria and the Treasurer visited NCAT specifically to meet with members of the NCAT Young Women in Trades & Technology Group and their Industry Partners. During his visit the Treasurer listened intently to members of the Young Women in Trades & Technology Group as they explained what they were studying and what industry sector they hoped to work in after they leave school.

The Minister and the College Principal co-signed and presented a Certificate of Appreciation to the Industry Team Members which includes New Plumbing Solutions, QA Electrical, Hutchinsons Builders, A&A Cabinet Impressions, Civil Infrastructure Group, the CFMEU, Women in Plumbing Vic and Northern Workwear and Safety. The Minister also witnessed the sign off on a Code of Respectful Conduct developed by Industry Team Members.

In his closing comments, the Minister congratulated the students, industry and community partners and all involved in the Bring It On! Project saying that women have a right to equality of employment in all industry sectors and that a “Woman’s place is where they want it to be”.

Read the full media release from the Hon. Tim Pallas

“Education and training are vital, and so are attitudes in the workplace. Every workplace conversation, policy or action can reinforce or challenge the beliefs and norms that drive inequity.”

– Tim Pallas, Minister for Industrial Relations

“NCAT is an outstanding school that constantly looks for new ways to break down barriers and entrenched ways of thinking about education and careers. We’ll keep backing schools that produce amazing results for their students.”

– Ben Carroll, Minister for Education

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Bring It On! Young Women in the Trades and Technology at NCAT

In August we had the incredible pleasure of hosting ‘Bring It On!’. The evening event was organised and hosted by some our female pre- apprenticeship students who are a part of the NCAT Young Women in Trades & Technology group.

We were very fortunate to have the following organisations participate as industry hosts on the night:

CFMEU
Hutchinson Builders
New Plumbing Solutions
A&A Cabinets Impressions Group
QA Electrical
Women in Plumbing

Young women in Years 9, 10 and 11 from local schools, heard from and met qualified tradeswomen from Building and Construction, Electrotechnology, Plumbing and Furniture Making. They also heard from the local employers, union and employee organisations.

The event helped the students and their parents define their study options for the next few years and to increase their knowledge of pathways after school. Parents of some of the apprentices and pre- apprentice student spoke of their decision making journey and how their daughters were benefiting from the experiences.

 

TRADES FIT: Young Women In Trades and Tech Expo

The NCAT Young Women in the Trades and Technology Group represented the college in May at the Trades Fit: Young Women in Trades and Tech Expo. It was attended by 2,493 female and non-binary students. Hosted by the Department of Education at the Melbourne Convention Centre, the expo gave female and non-binary students to gain an insight into exciting career opportunities in traditionally male-dominated fields, through practical learning experiences, technology displays, information sessions and panel discussions.

A big thank you each member of the NCAT Young Women in the Trades and Technology Group for their tireless work and enthusiasm throughout the year.

 

Read more about our  Trades & Technology areas.

 

Northern College of the Arts and Technology (NCAT) is a Year 10 – 12 Government Secondary School specialising  in the Arts and Technology. We are a Registered Training Organisation (RTO Number 6736). NCAT is on Murray Road, Preston.

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Building & Construction

Early career starts are available for VCE and VCE VM students seeking a career in Building and Construction. Students can integrate a VET Certificate II in Building and Construction within a VCE or VCE VM syllabus.

Using a combination of laser levels and electronic tape measures, learn how to survey a block of land to set out an L-shaped house. Develop planning interpretation skills. Construct small-scale subflooring, wall frames, roof trusses and wall cladding. Understand how current OHS regulations are applied to the safe operation of power tools and hand equipment.

Building & Construction enables you to:

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Use hand and power tool skills for various carpentry team and individual projects.

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Work safely in the construction environments.

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Build your skills in concepts, theory and terminology.

The building and construction trade is in high-demand nationwide. Qualified tradesmen are in short supply. Recent years have seen a shift in industry and consumer demand for sustainable building and construction practices, along with advances in Occupational Health and Safety requirements. The Certificate II in Building and Construction Pre-apprenticeship students learn skills that make them great candidates for entry into an apprenticeship.

 

TestimonialsDaniel Knott (Head of Department, Technology)

“That's our objective, that young people enjoy their education and then they enjoy their occupation afterwards because whatever they enjoy, whatever they love they're going to be successful.”

TestimonialsTamika Brownfield (Building & Construction Student)

“Before we do any sort of work we always just study the type of tool that we're using, including the risk that it can have.”

TestimonialsTamika Brownfield (Building & Construction Student)

“Not many females really do it and I’ve loved building things ever since I was younger.”

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Course Structure

This course is a partial completion of 22338VIC Certificate II in Building and Construction Pre-apprenticeship (Carpentry) with 8 core units related to the building industry and 12 elective units introducing carpentry. It covers basic knowledge in safety and basic carpentry and building skills to prepare students for work in the building trades.

All new first year enrolments for Building and Construction in 2024 will be for the new 22614VIC Certificate II in Building and Construction Pre-apprenticeship (Carpentry) unless we receive advice otherwise from the VCAA.

Activities & Tasks

During the course, students will be able to activities and tasks that may include: basic building concepts, theory and terminology; using hand and power tool skills for various carpentry team and individual projects; timber construction projects eg.saw horses, dog house & small portable or fixed dwelling; working safely in the construction industry; calculations for the building industry; levelling; first aid.

Assessment

Practical project work assessed by observation and questioning, and written tasks are all assessed using set criteria. Students are required to undertake a minimum of 80 hours of Structured Workplace Learning.

Students will be given a fair and adequate assessment process that includes multiple opportunities to demonstrate competency.

Eligibility & Prerequisites

A minimum sound achievement of Year 10 Maths and English or equivalent and an aptitude for practical work is recommended. If you have individual needs please contact the college.