Kids learn trades in Gladstone

YOUNG tradesmen and women were being born out of education today at the annual What’s my Trade exhibition at GAGAL.

“We’re future proofing,” Gladstone Area Group Apprentices Limited (GAGAL) general manager Kerry Whitaker told The Observer.

“Their here to find out what a trade looks, feels and in some instances tastes like by being exposed to a number of trades, which is important for the future.”

What’s my Trade is a three day event that encourages young people as young as nine to think about what career choices they may consider in the future and give them the opportunity to ‘have a go’ and ask questions of those already in the trade.

“They can find out what things are about and it opens their minds to the trades that are available to them,” Ms Whitaker said. “One of the biggest issues is kids coming out of school not knowing what they want to do.

“This is future proofing so that these kids won’t have these issues in five years time.”

Queensland Training Ombudsman Peter Ruhanen said the more interest that can be generated with school students the more they will be interested in a trade.

“When we look back at the statistics in 2008/09 there are only 16 per cent of students indicating that an apprenticeship is their career choice and we have to change that,” Mr Ruhanen said.

“We have to increase interest to ensure young people get exposure to what it’s all about.”