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2024 Bring It On! Young Women in the Trades and Technology at NCAT

On the 13th August, NCAT held their annual ‘Bring it On! Young Women in Trades and Technology’ event to encourage young women to consider study and a career in the Trades and Technology.

Students and their families were taken on a tour of our facilities where tradeswomen, employers and union representatives spoke about their experience in various industries as did students from our NCAT Young Women in the Trades and Technology group.

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

CFMEU
Sutton Tools
Hutchinson Builders
New Plumbing Solutions
A&A Cabinets Impressions Group
QA Electrical
Dysons
Northern Workwear

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.

NCAT Young Women in the Trades and Technology Stem Pre-Apprenticeship Electro Technology Building Construction Automotive Plumbing Engineering VCE VM
NCAT Young Women in the Trades and Technology Stem Pre-Apprenticeship Electro Technology
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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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2023 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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NCAT Engineering Students Work With Banyule Nillumbik Tech School Learning Specialist

Engineering Studies Extension Projects

NCAT is a partner school of the Banyule Nillumbik TECH SCHOOL (BNTS). Although NCAT has an excellent Engineering workshop, the Tech School has some future-focused technologies we do not have. Together with BNTS staff, students can produce very individual engineering studies projects.

With this intention, BNTS Learning Technologist Anthony Gasson recently worked with our trainer Frank and one of our Certificate II Engineering students.

Consequently, our student Salih designed a 1:1 scale chess board with accompanying custom-designed chess pieces. With our trainer working in our workshop and with Anthony working at the Tech School, Salih was able to make his ambitious design. Under Anthony’s guidance, Salih was able use the waterjet-cutter, laser cutter and 3D printers. Over four months Salih used raw, unpolished brass to create his engineering project

Another great engineering studies project was made by Dimitra. After engineering students complete all their standard practical exercises they have the option of making their own engineering project. Dimitra  researched and designed her own toolbox with hand cut metal pieces riveted together by hand. This took over three months and she produced a high quality product of which everyone is very proud.

Both of these students are still in their first year of the Certificate II in Engineering Studies at NCAT. We are looking forward to what they will produce in their second year in 2023.

BNTS and NCAT Value Partnerships

BNTS staff were astounded by the incredible work achieved at NCAT. They are grateful for the support from our Principal Raffaela and staff in establishing and maintaining the partnership. NCAT also values this partnership with Banyule Nillumbik Tech School. We would like to thank Anthony Gasson for sharing his knowledge and skills.

Other Schools Students Can Enrol in NCAT Engineering

Both Salih a student at Mill Park Secondary College and Dimitra a Charles La Trobe College student attend NCAT one half a day per week for two years to complete the Certificate II in Engineering Studies.

Salih hopes to become a mechanical / aerospace engineer in the future. Dimitra is passionate about women in the STEM workforce and aspires to be a mechanical / structural engineer.

Undoubtedly the NCAT Engineering Studies course designed with qualification pathways in mind, gives students the perfect foundation to start them on their journey.

Read more about the NCAT Engineering course we teach – 22470VIC Certificate II in Engineering Studies at NCAT

and here is the link to the VCAA VCE VET Engineering Studies

 

 

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Engineering Studies

Immerse yourself in a project based, hands on course in engineering. Start your career in an area which has so many specialties for you to choose from.

Balance the design and planning elements with learning how to use industry standard tools in a purpose-built engineering workshop created for this exact purpose. Manage engineering based projects, undertake processes and learn the industry you are about to enter, inside and out.

Early career starts are available for VCE and VCE VM students seeking a career in engineering. Students can integrate a VET Certificate II in Engineering within a VCE or VCAL syllabus. Develop skills in machining, fabrication and the safe use of power tools. Use computer controlled lathes (CNC), lasers, and computer aided drafting (CAD) to create projects and your own equipment for use in the trade. A major project is completed at the end of the units 3+ 4.

You can read about two NCAT student Certificate II Engineering projects completed here.

Engineering Studies enables you to:

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Develop the skills to work with a range of equipment and tools.

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Produce engineering components.

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Undertake a major product and document the process.

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Make vice soft jaws, a sheet metal tool caddy, centre punch, soft face mallet or an engineer’s square.

Recent years have seen a shift in industry demand for fields such as engineering, manufacturing, automation, control technologies, mechatronics, electrotechnology, robotics, and energy management.

TestimonialsAnh (Kitty) Chau (Engineering Student)

“I want to do architecture when I'm older. At the end of the two-year course, we get a certificate saying that we've completed our engineering studies and it's just something else to add to my portfolio for university or entering the workforce.”

TestimonialsMichael Stapmanns (Engineering Student)

“Thanks to my experience at NCAT I was finally able to decide what direction to take and that engineering was what I wanted to do. My results in this course, thanks to the terrific teachers and learning environment at NCAT, gave my ATAR score a big boost…there was a clear link between theory and practice.”

TestimonialsDaniel Knot (Head of Department, Technology)

“A student can come here for three years: years 10, 11 and 12. They can do between four and five different certificates so that by the end of it they will definitely know what they want to do.”

TestimonialsAnh (Kitty) Chau (Engineering Student)

“Our engineering teacher used to help build and design planes for Boeing and when we found out we asked, “What are you doing here”? He replied, “I come here just for you guys.”

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Student working in NCAT Certificate II in Engineering workshop
Course
Level(s)
Qualification(s)

Course Structure

NCAT's Certificate II in Engineering is a project-based, hand-on course delivered in a simulated workplace environment in the NCAT Engineering workshop. The course provides students with the skills and knowledge to pursue an apprenticeship in the engineering trades or with a foundation for professional engineering roles. Units 1 & 2 cover areas in computer technology and using hand and power tools.

We deliver a general course including some elective units from fabrication, machining and engineering technical pathways. Units 3 & 4 offers scored assessment and incorporates units such as producing basic engineering sketches and drawings, handling engineering materials, performing computations (for the VCE stream only).

You can read about two NCAT student Certificate II Engineering projects completed here. https://ncat.vic.edu.au/ncat-engineering-studies-student-work/

Activities & Task

Projects made in Engineering Units 1 & 2 include vice soft jaws, sheet metal tool caddy, centre punch, soft face mallet and an engineer’s square. Students doing Engineering Units 3 & 4 are required to construct a major project and document the project in a portfolio.

Assessment

Students wanting a study score for the Certificate II in Engineering can undertake scored assessment. Practical project work is assessed by observation and questioning, written tasks and tests are assessed using set criteria. Students are given a fair and adequate assessment process with multiple opportunities to demonstrate competency. Students must attend 80% of all classes and successfully complete all units of competency to obtain their certificate II qualification.

Students are recommended to undertake a minimum of 80 hours of Structured Workplace Learning.

Eligibility & Prerequisites

Year 9 – 10 basic language, literacy and numeracy levels are desired. If you have any individual needs please contact us to discuss the options available to you.