TAFE SA lecturer Marcela Ganicoche has joined the building and construction program at the Mount Gambier campus in hope to inspire women within the South East to consider pursuing a trade.
Ms Ganicoche, a qualified carpenter, will deliver training in Certificate II and III in Construction at the regional facility.
Spending the past eight years in vocational training and education, including stints in the Pilbara in Western Australia and the Northern Territory, the new lecturer carries 21 years of experience in the building industry.
Originally hoping to be a mechanic, Ms Ganicoche said she was convinced to pursue another pathway, which triggered a shift towards carpentry.
“I think those same people were hoping I would make furniture, but I was thinking about houses,” Ms Ganicoche said.
“I would like to encourage more women into trades.
“I am working with 50 high school students and there is only one young woman, she is doing bricklaying which is a punishing trade, but she is determined.”
After completing her apprenticeship in Melbourne, Ms Ganicoche moved to South Australia, joining a carpentry team working on major infrastructure, as well as constructing sets for Billy Elliot and Wicked.
“My students are really interested when they hear that you can do more creative jobs as well as build houses,” Ms Ganicoche said.
“I once had these two girls who banded together and supported each other so I made sure they were always in the same group for projects.
“The entire class lifted their game, all the boys lifted their game as well to meet the girls and it was wonderful.”
Ms Ganicoche said the relocation to Mount Gambier had been a wonderful opportunity to experience a community she had never visited before.
“I have been to Adelaide but never Mount Gambier and it really is just wonderful here.
“It is so picturesque and beautiful, I love it and the students are great.”
TAFE SA Limestone Coast regional manager Tania Plunkett said Ms Ganicoche’s appointment was a positive step towards encouraging more women into a trade.
“It is great to have a female role model in our building and construction program with such experience and enthusiasm,” Ms Plunkett said.
“We do look forward to the positive impact that she will have at TAFE SA including raising awareness of the opportunities for females to undertake trade qualifications.”
