Trade course reboot in Gunnedah

A new partnership between Whitehaven Coal and Gunnedah secondary schools is aiming to establish the next generation of locally-based, trade trainees.

It is proposed the 2025 Career Engagement Program would be supported by a $25,000 grant from Whitehaven and provide new career and education opportunities for year 10 students in the Gunnedah district.

It will be tailored for students in years 10, 11 and 12 who do not wish to pursue tertiary study at university.

These students will have the chance to develop skills that will be directly transferable to employment in the engineering, welding, fitting and machining, carpentry, electrical and automotive sector, potentially leading to job offers or apprenticeships at the completion of the program.

The program is being led by Steve Wicks, a paraprofessional in VET metals and engineering at Gunnedah High School and Paul Bennett, a VET metals and engineering teacher at St Mary’s College Gunnedah.

It will utilise a template similar to a successful trade program hosted by BHP Billiton in Gunnedah more than a decade ago.

Mr Wicks said this program had a success rate of 92 per cent for participants finding employment or continuing with their schooling after the program.

“I think this new initiative is exactly what industry has been demanding for the last 10 years,” Mr Wicks said.

“We had BHP Billiton run a very successful program here for a 12-year period.

“The employers loved it and the students received good hand skills and trade skills at the end of their studies.

“The program’s success was also instrumental in ensuring students attendance and maturity improved while undertaking this program.

“I think we can go forward and have some good outcomes again.”

Under the new program, Mr Wicks said students from both schools will be given skills and knowledge while attending trade classes at their respective schools.

These skills will be focused on the students’ needs to gain experience in several trade-related fields. Both schools are equipped with trade training centres in metals and engineering, fitting and machining as well as carpentry.

Students will undergo theoretical and practical learning in various trade skills, complemented by industry work placements.

These placements will be in a real work environment and the student will select two different workplaces which they feel a need to pursue a career in.

The work placements will be unpaid and cover a two-week period.

To get the most out of this experience, the workplace will need to undertake the placement in the student’s holiday break and when the school feels the student’s skill level is at an appropriate level.

Whitehaven Coal General Manager Community Engagement Darren Swain said the program will provide young people in the local area with the skills required to pursue trade training in a range of industries.

“It will be great building up the skills in the local community, getting these students job-ready,” Mr Swain said.

“They will be able to come straight out of school with the right tickets, the right mindset and understand what’s required by businesses.

“I think it will set them up for their future in the industry and trades.

“We’re looking forward to building on that capacity in the local Gunnedah area.”

The program will initially be open to 15 students each from St Mary’s College and Gunnedah High (30 students in total) and be aligned with the Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce.

Mr Wicks said the chamber’s involvement will support a large pool of host employers willing to take on a student from the local community, providing them with hands-on experience in a real work environment.

The chamber has endorsed the program and will be assist in promoting the initiative within local businesses sector.

It is proposed the $25,000 grant from Whitehaven will be split between both high schools and cover expenses for protective clothing for students, materials and some equipment.

Principal at St Mary’s College Gunnedah, Catherine Martin, said the program will offer new career insights for students.

“We welcome all opportunities for community engagement that can benefit our students. Programs like these can provide students with valuable exposure to career pathways they might not typically have access to. It’s an exciting way to connect education with real-world experiences,” she said.