Trade exhibition held

GAGAL general manager Kerry Whitaker.

KIERAN MORAN

YOUNG would-be tradesmen and women yesterday attended the annual What’s my Trade exhibition at Gladstone Area Group Apprentices Limited.

“We’re future-proofing,” GAGAL general manager Kerry Whitaker told The Observer.

“They’re 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 they may consider 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 could be generated with school students the more they would be interested in a trade.

“When we look back at the statistics in 2008/09 there are only 16% 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.”