On September 14th, MEGT joined forces with Workforce Australia Local Jobs Barwon to host the MEGT Women in Trades Event at The Gordon TAFE’s East Campus. This event was aimed at celebrating and championing women in non-traditional trades. It was designed to address the stark under-representation of women in this sector, where they currently make up a mere 3% of apprentices.
The event commenced with an enthusiastic welcome from Jodi Stevens, the National Manager for Mentoring Services at MEGT, who expressed her excitement about launching the first-ever MEGT Women in Trades event in the Barwon Region.
Our esteemed guest speakers included Mardi Spittle, Manager of Strategic Communications, Brand, and Marketing at Gordon TAFE, and Matt Luttrell, Senior Stakeholder Engagement Officer at Apprenticeships Victoria.
Attendees were treated to an engaging panel discussion featuring three remarkable keynote speakers: Louise Azzopardi, a Heavy Vehicle Mechanic, Trainer, Life Coach, Mentor, and MEGT ambassador for Women in Trades; Hacia Atherton, the visionary Founder of Empowering Women in Trades (EWIT); and Bardie Somerville, a highly skilled carpenter who transitioned into a Site Manager role. These inspiring women shared their experiences and insights, sparking important conversations about gender equality in the trades.
The event also featured a hands-on tool demonstration by Milwaukee Tools, allowing attendees to explore the latest equipment and ask questions about their use.
MEGT’s regional team was on hand throughout the event to address inquiries about trade opportunities and underscored the significance of initiating and successfully completing a trade.
In summary, the MEGT Women in Trades Event at The Gordon TAFE’s East Campus marked a significant milestone in dismantling gender barriers within non-traditional trades. It amplified the importance of diversity and inclusivity in the workforce, encouraging a brighter, more equitable future for all.
