High schoolers ‘Taste a Trade’ at Council

Two Chinchilla high school students will have a glimpse into their future career at a ‘Taste a Trade’ placement with Western Downs Regional Council in May.

Daniel and Kanadee both have an interest in mechanics, so they will spend a day in Council’s Chinchilla Works Depot having a glimpse into a day in the life of a workshop mechanic.

Spokesperson for Finance and Corporate Services Councillor Ian Rasmussen says that this is the first year that Council has participated in the Taste a Trade program.

“This is a great opportunity for Council to connect with high school students who are interested in pursuing a career in a particular trade,” he said.

“We can also promote Council’s various industries to young people who may still be considering what their future careers could be.”

VET Coordinator for the Chinchilla State High School, Ann Griffiths, says that this opportunity is a privilege for their students.

“We have 15 students being placed across different areas this year – a mix of girls and boys – who meet the criteria in terms of achievement, attendance and behaviour,” she said.

“It is definitely a worthwhile activity because over the last two years we have had several students offered a school-based traineeship or apprenticeship following the program.

“A couple of years ago, we took onboard feedback from both students and employers and decided that we would organise shorter placements, with opportunities to seek further experience during the holidays if both students and employers wanted.

“This means students are not taking too much time out from their studies, and employers can gauge the level of students’ enthusiasm during the placement day.

“The Taste a Trade program provides opportunities for students to extend their practical learning and see other elements of a job such as time management and it complements the theory that they are learning at school.”

Councillor Rasmussen said that regional schools make different work experience arrangements according to their students’ areas of interest and the requirements of host employers.

“Some work experience placements run for a full week, others one day a week for several weeks, others for just one day,” he said.

“I would like to invite other local businesses to consider hosting a student because it will be of benefit to the school, the student, the business, and in the long-term, our own future workforce.”

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Melanie Coultas | Senior Media & Communications Officer | 0419 048 594