2007 Try atrade Evaluation Report

Transcription

1 2007 Try atrade Evaluation Report Trade Careers can be challenging, lasting and lucrative Proudly Support by: Funded By: Group Training NT Foundation

2 Try atrade Background: Try atrade is a Worldskills Australia interactive program that allows students to have a go at various trade areas. Professional Tradespeople and Apprentices provide accurate career information and interactive skill focused activities directly relating to the trade. Try atrade has been a success in the Northern Territory since commencing in 2003 and is organised by a consortium of organisations comprising of Charles Darwin University, Group Training NT, Territory Construction Association and Department of Education, Employment and Training (DEET) Try atrade Committee: Melissa Luhrman: Department of Education, Employment & Training (DEET) Trisha Kohlweg: Charles Darwin University (CDU) Lisa Dodds: Group Training NT (GTNT) Shannon Spark: Group Training NT (GTNT) Ebony Alexander: Territory Construction Association (TCA) Rebecca Karslake: Territory Construction Association (TCA) (Absent) The Event: 2007 Try atrade event was held at the Cyprus Community Centre, Batton Road Marrara from Tuesday 18 th to Friday 21 st of September. The four (4) day event hosted 500 students from 12 Northern Territory High Schools. Try a Trade offered Students 12 Trade Activities. Try atrade Industry Activity Areas Carpentry Defence Forces Automotive Welding Plumbing Plaster Boarding Hospitality Restaurant Services Commercial Cookery Painting Electrical Hair Dressing Tiling Included in the daily activities was a career information session by: The Australian Apprenticeship NT, where students could discuss options, ask questions and gather information sheets on Trades. Program Aims: The program aims to address the critical skill shortage currently faced by our trade industries, by providing a variety of educational initiatives, which introduce students to general concepts and skills associated with employment within the trade industries. It also provides an opportunity to facilitate partnerships between schools, industry, employers, government departments and training organisations.

3 School Invitations: All Secondary Schools and Community Education Centres across the Northern Territory were personally invited. An open invitation was posted on the DEET site. Try atrade notifications were also posted on the Charles Darwin University s Calendar and announced on Territory FM Radio. Schools interested in participating needed to complete a registration and media release form. Participating NT Secondary Schools/CEC s O Loughlin College Darwin (24 students & staff) Nightcliff Middle School Darwin (18) Marrara Christian College Darwin (80) Darwin High School Darwin (33) Kormilda College Darwin (68) Dripstone High School Darwin (44) Alternative Education Provisions Dar/Palm (12) Palmerston High School Palm (24) Marrara Christian School (78) Katherine High School Rivers Region (45) The Essington School Darwin (22) Woolaning Homeland Christian School (20) Taminmin High School (52) Total: 520 *Sanderson High School, Minyerri School, Batchelor Area School and Palmerston High Learning Centre cancelled due to internal school restraints. Students were separated into groups of up to twelve (12), and rotated through twelve (12) industry sessions, with each session lasting 25mins. Industry sessions were delivered by qualified tradespeople and apprentices. Sessions provided engaging practical, hands on activities, up to date career information and OH&S requirements for their industry. Trade Activities In each of the areas the students worked on a variety of practical activities; for example: Hair Dressing: Students were guided and performed professional up styles using professional salon products, bobby pins, hair bands and clips Hospitality Commercial Cookery: the students learnt how to make a Crepe batter, cook and decorate using assorted fresh fruit and cream, a la carte style and baked muffins Defence: Students were provided an informative session on apprenticeships offered through the Defence Forces and given a chance to interact with Defence Equipment and Personnel Automotive Mechanical: Students were guided through a visual and interactive display of engine performance, electronic ignition, emission control and mechanical systems, whilst being provided the latest information on technology advancements Carpentry: students used drills, hammers, Tape measures and screw drivers to build and assemble dog beds for the RSPCA Build 13, Revamped 10 old beds Electrical: Students were provided wiring diagrams and assistance to complete wiring systems that operated a series of switches, lights, fans and other electrical components Plumbing: Students learnt how to remove and replace taps and tap washers, checking for water leaks. Students were also introduced their related field, Gas Operating Systems. Plaster boarding: Students affixed sheets of Gyprock to wall frames using scrapers and plaster, securing sheets by

4 drilling and screwing them on to frames. Students also learnt how to repair damage/holes in walls Welding: Student used an electronic simulated welder to learn and understand the methods and techniques. They were also introduced to safety equipment and a variety of different welders and their applications Painting: Students mixed, undercoated and painted an assortment of furniture and the dog beds Tiling: Students learnt how to break tiles, plaster them onto the floor and watch how to cut circles for tap fittings Hospitality Restaurant Services: Student we taught and practiced food & beverage table service, 4 star table settings and napkin folding techniques Promotion and Media Coverage: The Try atrade event information was posted on the DEET website, DEET Enews and in a media release given to the NT News. ABC TV and Channel 9, and Government photographer was present at the Official Launch of Try atrade. Charles Darwin University Photographer was present for one day during Try atrade and Charles Darwin University committee member directly contacted and invited each Secondary School and posted the information on the CDU website and Calendar. Group Training NT Try atrade committee member delivered an advertisement on Territory FM Radio. From this coverage Try a Trade was also picked up and supported by other Radio Stations. The Official Launch: The Honourable Paul Henderson officially opened Try atrade at an Official Launch, held during the Event. Official Launch list of invitees: Chief Executive Ms Margaret Banks Deputy Chief Executive Mr John Hassed Executive Officer Ms Melanie Brenton Executive Officer Ms Marianne St Clair General Manager Mr Barry Cramond Executive Officer Ms Catherine Curry Executive Officer Mr Tim Schinkel Industry Liaison Mr Jude Smith Executive Officer Ms Barbara Pitman Chief Executive Officer Mr Chris Egan Director Ms Jeanie Herbert General Manager Mr Patrick Stabback Operations Manager Mr Michael Piotrowski Cyprus Community Committee Member Anna Karaolias CEO RSPCA Ms Jane Porter CDU Vice Chancellor Professor Helen Garnett CDU Pro Vice Chancellor Mr Don Zoellner CDU School of Trades Dean Mr Steve Shanahan Official List of Invitees continues: CDU Director of VET Mr Aaron Devine

5 CDU Senior Advisor School to VET Mr Lyle Mellors CDU Head of School of Trades Mr Brent Villiers CDU Plumbing Coordinator Mr Stephen Say CDU Commercial Cookery Coordinator Mr Jason Wilkes CDU Metals & Engineering Coordinator Mr Warren Corrick CDU Hair Dressing Coordinator Ms Bronwyn Hudson CDU Cabinet Making Coordinator Mr Tim Nicol Rivers Region Local Community Partnership Mr Jim Bitossi Australian Hotels Association Ms Sally Fielke Group Training NT General Manager Mr Mike Harrison Group Training NT Mr Ray Blohm Jewel Distributors Ms Helen Alfree Cutterz & Minx Quetta Alexander DEET NT Mr Rob Floriani Australian Defence Force Skycity Ms Annette Bullock Territory Construction Association General Manager Mr Craig O Halloran Territory Construction Association Marketing Manager Ms Jenny Griffins PW Baxter & Associates Mr Paul Baxter Nowland Builders Mr Paul Nowland Advanced Training International Ms Jan Winch GM Advanced Training International Mr Doug MacDonald Boral Plasterboard Mr Emil Elej CSR Building Products Mr Darren Sandercock Darwin High School Principal Ms Marion Guppy VET Coordinator Janine Watt Careers Adviser Ms Meg Bailey The Essington School of Darwin Principal Mr David Cannon VET Coordinator Mr Dean Cummins Kormilda College Principal Mr Malcolm Pritchard VET Coordinator Rosemary Andrews Careers Adviser Mrs Janice Lee Nightcliff Middle School Principal Lyn Hollow VET Coordinator Anita Jonsberg Careers Adviser Ms Caroline Wines Alternative Education Provisions Darwin/Palmerston Principal Mr Ross MacAndrew St Johns College Principal Sister Philippa Murphy VET Coordinator Ms Norene Lahring Careers Adviser Ms Stephanie Veness Official List of Invitees continues: Marrara Christian School

6 Principal Mr John Metcalf VET Coordinator Ms Jennifer Smith Careers Adviser Ms Yvonne Cole Dripstone Middle School Principal Ms Lyn Elphinstone VET Coordinator & Careers Adviser Mrs Trish Orr O Loughlin College Principal Mr Lester Lemke VET Coordinator Mr William Cameron Careers Adviser Ms Meg Bailey Sanderson High School Principal Mr Russell Legg VET Coordinator Ms Carole Belsham Careers Adviser Mr Erv Moyd Palmerston High School Principal Mr Robert Presswell VET Coordinator & Careers Adviser Ms Yvonne McDonnell Taminmin High School Principal Mr Tony Considine VET Coordinator Mr Andrew Oliver Careers Adviser Mrs Susan Considine Batchelor Area School Principal Mr Randall Cook Katherine High School Principal Mr Ken Barnes VET Coordinator Mr Noel VanKleef Careers Adviser Ms Pam Kahl Survey Results At the end of each day student were asked to complete a Try atrade Survey. Of the students that attended, 246 surveys were completed. See results below: Q1. What Trades are you interested in the most? Carpentry 10 % Automotive 11 % Plumbing 6 % Hospitality Restaurant Services 7 % Painting 7 % Hair Dressing 14 % Australian Defence Force 12 % Welding 5 % Plasterboarding 2 % Commercial Cookery 14 % Electrical 8 % Tiling 4 % Q2. What Trade Activity did you enjoy the most?

7 Carpentry 7 % Automotive 8 % Plumbing 7 % Hospitality Restaurant Services 4 % Painting 7 % Hair Dressing 19 % Australian Defence Force 11 % Welding 6 % Plasterboarding 2 % Commercial Cookery 12 % Electrical 7 % Tiling 5 % Australian Apprenticeships NT 5 % Q3. What aspects of the event do you find most important? Hands On Interactive Activities 33 % Information & Learning 26 % Variety of Trades 33 % Staff & Skill Coaches 8 % Q4. What did you dislike about the event? Not having the time to participate in all Trades offered 49 % Not enough time in each activity 35 % Not being able to choose freely 8 % Skill Coaches Attitudes 8 % Q5. What Trade Activity did you enjoy the least? 32% of students said they enjoyed all of the trade activities Carpentry 2 % Automotive 3 % Plumbing 7 % Hospitality Restaurant Services 13 % Painting 2 % Hair Dressing 10 % Australian Defence Force 3 % Welding 10 % Plasterboarding 0 % Commercial Cookery 5 % Electrical 3 % Tiling 5 % Australian Apprenticeships NT 5 % Q6. What Trade Activity taught you the most?

8 Carpentry 7 % Automotive 11 % Plumbing 14 % Hospitality Restaurant Services 6 % Painting 4 % Hair Dressing 8 % Australian Defence Force 16 % Welding 8 % Plasterboarding 4 % Commercial Cookery 5 % Electrical 7 % Tiling 4 % Australian Apprenticeships NT 6 % Q7. Did the day assist you in understanding how to get a Trade? Yes 97 % No 3 % Q8. Are you considering a Traineeship or Apprenticeship? Yes 87 % No 9 % Undecided 4 % Q9. Please rate the event on presentation, information and trade activities offered: Excellent 39 % Very Good 42 % Good 19 % Poor 0 % Very Poor 0 % The survey results did highlight some worthy and interesting points. Students believed that providing hands on interactive activities and a variety of trades is only slightly more important (7%) than the information and learning being delivered in the activity. 97% of students felt they had a better understanding on what they need to do and how to improve their chances of getting a trade. 87 % of students are definitely considering a Traineeship or Apprenticeship, with only 4 % undecided. Although students identified some trades as being the least enjoyable those same trades were identified as being the trade that taught them the most. Such as Welding with 10 % of students choosing it as the least enjoyable and yet 8 % said it taught them the most and Plumbing with 7% indicating the least enjoyable and 14% indicating it taught them the most. This year each of the Trade Activities had a Student Request for Trade Information sheet, 179 requests were received, Charles Darwin University will

9 forward out Career and Study Information. DEET will retain the list of students so that in the future we can track past Try atrade participants to determine what study pathway they actually took and did it successfully lead to them gaining an apprenticeship. Trade Information Request Collected: Plumbing 29 Carpentry 14 Commercial Cookery 55 Electrical 33 Welding 9 Hair Dressing - 39 The feedback received from the Teachers, Industry and Students was very positive, with one of the most common feedback being how the Schools have grown to value this event as it is the only event that provides a real learning opportunity, preparing students for their upcoming study choices. A large component of the organisation and tradespeople who the supported the 2007 Try a Trade said that they were very happy with the level of genuine interest most students showed and that they would be happy to offer support for the 2008 event. We have also had offers from other Trades for 2008 such as Food & Beverage Service, Refrigeration & Air conditioning and Automotive Electrical. Survey Prize Winners: Apple IPOD Master E K Darwin High School L Oreal Hair Pack Miss T A Katherine High School 1 st Tool Box (with Tools) Master S L Essington School of Darwin 2 nd Tool Box (with Tools) Master B F Kormilda College Drawn By: Mr Keith Mutton, CDU Plumbing Skills Coach Other Try atrade News: In 2005 the Darwin Try a Trade committee considered a Try atrade for Alice Springs in the future plan, due to the Croc Festival offering young people a range of educational and interactive opportunities it was decided to hold the funds until more research was done. In 2006 it was decided that the Croc Festival did not offer the same opportunity as Try atrade. In 2007 held funds were released to the Alice Springs Try a Trade committee, with the offer of our support. On Wednesday the 26 th of September 2007 the first Try atrade event was held in Alice Springs, Alice Springs Try a Trade committee was assisted on the day by CDU Try atrade, Darwin Committee member Trisha Kohlweg and the Worldskills Tr atrade information and certificates supplied by DEET Try atrade, Darwin committee member Melissa Lurhman. The Alice Springs Try atrade was a huge success with approximately 130 students participating in eight (8) trade activities. Activities offered were Cookery, Butchery, Automotive, Carpentry, Electrical, Hair Dressing, Welding and Childcare. We expect full report will be completed by the Alice Springs Try atrade committee and forwarded to the Darwin Committee. The Future The Darwin Try atrade CDU committee member was

10 approached by the secondary schools in 2006 to hold an event in Katherine, enabling all of the Schools and Community Education Centres in the Rivers Region to participate. It was discussed that the event would need to incorporate the Trades that valued and have employment opportunities within this region. Jim Bitossi the Local Community Partnership for Rivers Region Youth Development Services was invited and attended the Darwin event. Jim is currently seeking regional industry support for an event to be held in Katherine in 2008, so far Jim has had an encouraging response. The Darwin Committee has offered to support to the Katherine Region with their event. Feedback from the 2006 report was taken on board and this year all student media permission forms were collected prior to the event, we refrained from using reflective safe work signs in the Trade Activities due to their interference in photographs taken and throughout the duration of the event several professional photographers attended the event to ensure photo opportunities were utilised. Recommendations for 2008 Look at increasing the variety of Trades on offer, look at providing more shade for outside trade activities and to determine if there is some flexibility in the program for students to have a free choice. The formal and informal feed back we receive from all participants is crucial for the evaluation and development of future events. The evaluation process is reviewed annually to ensure that the Events aims and outcomes are still relevant to the needs of Industry and Students. Special Acknowledgements: (in alphabetical order) Advanced Training International Australian Apprenticeships NT Australian Defence Force Recruiting & Navy Beare Homes Boral Plasterboard Bridge Toyota Cerbis Ceramics Charles Darwin University Community & Access, Plumbing, Welding, Cookery, Hair Dressing, Horticulture (Shade), Cabinet Making (Wood) and Facilities (Truck & Driver) CSR Building Products Cyprus Community Darwin NT Department of Employment, Education & Training Group Training NT and The Group Training NT Foundation Jewell Distributers Nortruss PW Baxter and Associates Power and Water Corporation Skycity Territory Construction Association Territory Events Party Hire Mr Stephen Palmer Territory FM Wattyl Stark Investments Total Development Supplies Budget: Provided to Funding Bodies

11 Report and Survey Results done by: CDU Try atrade Committee Member Trisha Kohlweg Budget Collated by: Group Training NT, Try atrade Committee Member Lisa Dodds