Wintec engineers new course for girls
The Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) has teamed up with Hamilton-based manufacturer Longveld to offer a unique training course to young women interested in fabrication and engineering.
The programme, which begins in February 2015, will make up part of Wintec’s Waikato Trades Academy.
It will see 16 young women, at year 11 and 12 level from Waikato secondary schools, visit Wintec’s workshop one day a week. They’ll train in fabrication and engineering, while gaining credits towards their NCEA Level 2.
“Traditionally trade engineering is seen as a male-oriented industry which may put some women off pursuing it any further. This programme provides the opportunity for women to learn in an environment where they’re not the only female in the room,” says Wintec’s youth pathways manager, Rachel Bowley.
As part of the programme, the students will spend up to 36 hours gaining on-the-job experience at Longveld where they’ll work alongside staff to put their skills into practice. Some may even be offered employment following completion of the programme, says Longveld managing director, Pam Roa.
Operating internationally from Hamilton for 22 years, Longveld places a strong importance on forming partnerships in the community and providing equal employment opportunities, she says.
“We are committed to providing careers and advancement for women in the engineering trades. Ultimately it benefits the culture of our workplace and therefore our long term sustainability. We have had up to five female trade staff in our workshop and currently 40% of our managers are women, and we want to build on this.”
The Waikato Trades Academy is a Government-led initiative, free to students, which sees Wintec partner with 25 Waikato secondary schools to encourage students to stay in school for longer by engaging them in hands-on learning.
“The partnership with Longveld is exciting for the Waikato Trades Academy because it means we now have the connection between secondary, tertiary and industry,” says Bowley.
For more information visit the Waikato Trades Academy site
The programme, which begins in February 2015, will make up part of Wintec’s Waikato Trades Academy.
It will see 16 young women, at year 11 and 12 level from Waikato secondary schools, visit Wintec’s workshop one day a week. They’ll train in fabrication and engineering, while gaining credits towards their NCEA Level 2.
“Traditionally trade engineering is seen as a male-oriented industry which may put some women off pursuing it any further. This programme provides the opportunity for women to learn in an environment where they’re not the only female in the room,” says Wintec’s youth pathways manager, Rachel Bowley.
As part of the programme, the students will spend up to 36 hours gaining on-the-job experience at Longveld where they’ll work alongside staff to put their skills into practice. Some may even be offered employment following completion of the programme, says Longveld managing director, Pam Roa.
Operating internationally from Hamilton for 22 years, Longveld places a strong importance on forming partnerships in the community and providing equal employment opportunities, she says.
“We are committed to providing careers and advancement for women in the engineering trades. Ultimately it benefits the culture of our workplace and therefore our long term sustainability. We have had up to five female trade staff in our workshop and currently 40% of our managers are women, and we want to build on this.”
The Waikato Trades Academy is a Government-led initiative, free to students, which sees Wintec partner with 25 Waikato secondary schools to encourage students to stay in school for longer by engaging them in hands-on learning.
“The partnership with Longveld is exciting for the Waikato Trades Academy because it means we now have the connection between secondary, tertiary and industry,” says Bowley.
For more information visit the Waikato Trades Academy site
