Andrew Dwyer - Director of RIC Electrics
My name is Andrew Dwyer. I'm a Director of RIC Electrics.
RIC Electrics is a one stop shop for everything electrical. We struggle to get young women into the industry. We're a very male dominated business.
Richard - Careers Adviser Mater Dei Catholic College
Some of the challenges that students face when deciding on a career are exposure to industry and an understanding of what careers are actually out there.
Andrew
Working with schools prior to RIEP was a challenge with so many different contacts. Having that one point of call helped our business immensely.
Stacey - Senior Project Officer Regional Industry Education Partnerships
When I first met with Andrew, he identified that they were facing a current skill shortage and in particular a lack of female apprentices in their trade. So he worked with me on The Girls Can Too program to inspire young women to consider a career in the electrical industry.
Andrew
Stacey contacted us to do some site visits and an industry tour. We want to make sure that we're a very inclusive business and we think that's important for community. It's something we're passionate about and we've got equal opportunity there for everyone.
Stacey
The Girls Can Too program runs every Friday over term three. I designed the program to encourage young female students to consider a non-traditional trade on completion of high school.
Chelsea - Year 10 student Mater Dei Catholic College
From a young age, I loved playing with Lego, building things, taking things apart. Once I got to high school, I discovered woodwork and metalwork and found a love for them. From there I decided that electrical or carpentry would be something I was interested in.
Stacey
During the program, students are introduced to five different trades areas at Tafe New South Wales. As well as connecting them with local employers in our community through careers days, work experience and industry tours.
Chelsea
We looked at a range of different trades: automotive, electrical, electronics, carpentry. From there, we learnt basic skills like how to change car tyres, drill bits, welding. I really enjoy automotive.
Andrew
We hope that young women will find out more about our industry so they can make some informed decisions on their future pathways. And hopefully that inspires them to become apprentices with us in the future.
Chelsea
It was pretty special to take part in The Girls Can Too program an opportunity that a lot of people don't get, especially in a rural area. Stuff like this doesn't come along all the time. It opened my eyes to all the different trades there were.
For the future I'd love to get an apprenticeship and from there, starting my own business specialising in residential projects.
Contact
Get in touch with the RIEP program today. Contact riep@det.nsw.edu.au.