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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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Furniture Making

Build beautiful pieces of furniture and gain satisfaction from your work. Work with the industry tools to develop the skills you need to become a Furniture or Cabinet Maker. Across the two years you will gain knowledge in constructing timber products and joints, how to use the hand tools woodworking machines and read plans and job specifications. Develop an eye for design in making a piece of furniture you can be proud of.

The furniture making trade is in high demand nationwide. Recent years have seen a shift in industry and consumer demand for sustainable practices. The use of new technologies, materials and equipment in the industry has created employment opportunities across many areas, from high volume manufacturing to artistic expression and creativity.

NCAT consults with industry and government reference groups to ensure our furniture making curriculum remains consistent with emerging trends. Practical project-based curriculums simulate real world scenarios for hands-on student learning. Purpose built facilities demonstrate sustainable practices furnished with state-of-the-art equipment.

Furniture Making enables you to:

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Develop your critical eye to make a range of products.

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Work with hand, power and static tools.

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Learn the basics before you decide which direction you would like to take your idea.

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Immerse yourself in the design process of making furniture.

As with all good design and creativity, this craft begins with drawing and identifying construction methods and working within constraints. Master the art of hand-cut timber joints using industry standard hand-tools, power-tools and multi-cam computer controlled cutters.

TestimonialsJarman Lawrence (Furniture Making Student)

“My grandpa was a carpenter for a long time. He used to take me out into the shed and go come have a look at this thing I made from then on I kind of wanted to do something like that.”

TestimonialsTony Nanngerd (Furniture Making Student)

“You have to get a white card to be able to use equipment and get into a workforce.”

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Course
Level(s)
Qualification(s)

Course Structure

The Certificate II In Furniture Making Pathways is designed for people interested in a career in furnishing, cabinet making or related working environment. Students learn and develop a range of skills and knowledge including furniture assembly, joinery and preparation of surfaces which can help get entry into an apprenticeship. This is a project- based, hand-on course delivered in a simulated workplace environment in a fully-equipped workshop.

Activities & Tasks

The Certificate II In Furniture Making Pathways course covers construction of furniture products using a variety of materials, a range of hand and power tools, surface preparation, general joinery techniques and assembly of various components such as drawers, leg and rail, tops or carcass. Safety, industry standards, job specifications, reading plans, measurements and calculations are competencies relating to communication and teamwork skills and are vital to produce a successful product.

Assessment

Assessment is mainly by observation of skills and some written work and assignments. The assessment of your overall competence at this certificate level will be undertaken by a qualified assessor and your competence judged using the criteria stated in the qualification.

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 to discuss.