SKILLS were tested last week at TAFE SA’s Mount Gambier campus as students from across the Limestone Coast joined together to ‘Try A Skill’.
The institute’s second Try A Skill day attracted around 160 students from Mount Gambier, Penola, Millicent and Allendale East who combined for a hands-on approach to exploring career pathways.
Industries such as hospitality, nursing, aged care and carpentry were showcased to the teenagers, who were able to perform several job-specific tasks.
Mount Gambier High School student Isabel Pech appreciated the exposure to potential career pathways.
“The childcare block was fun because we got to test out the activities as if we were children ourselves,” Isabel said.
“During the nursing block we learnt how to wash our hands properly and how bacteria spreads, as well as the procedures on all of the equipment.
“In painting and decorating we also learnt how to decorate things like inside houses and about wallpaper.”
While still deciding on a future career, Isabel said the event helped her narrow down potential options.
TAFE SA Limestone Coast regional manager Tania Plunkett said the event aimed at raising awareness of different trades available across the region.
“Locally there is a growing demand for skilled workers and we want to encourage young people to consider a trade as a possible career option,” Ms Plunkett said.
“By giving students the opportunity to come in and learn about different program areas and try some different activities they can get a sense of what interests them.”
The day included a short information session as well as question and answers with Limestone Coast training providers at the end.
“The emphasis for Try A Skill is hands-on participation where we want the students to try the equipment and learn some of the processes they would encounter on their field,” Ms Plunkett said.
“Try A Skill is being held before most schools’ work experience weeks so we are hoping to spark an interest in some students which they can further explore with their work experience.”
