WaTT IS IT ALL ABOUT?
BREAKING DOWN THE BARRIERS WITH THE NEXT GENERATION OF ELECTRICIANS WOMEN AND THEIR TRADE (WaTT) IS AN EXCITING NEW INITIATIVE DEVELOPED BY NECA EDUCATION AND CAREERS, THE LEADERS IN ELECTROTECHNOLOGY EMPLOYMENT AND CAREERS DEVELOPMENT IN TASMANIA. Currently there is a very small percentage of women engaged as electrical apprentices in Tasmania and they want to change that. Their aim is to highlight the advantages of a well-balanced workforce and the great benefits that can be gained for both employers and women wanting to begin a career in the electrical industry. In conjunction with Community Tasmania and the State Government, NECA Education and Careers will provide information and insight into the opportunities that exist in the electrical industry. Over the next two years, they will help interested participants make informed decisions, and assist those taking the next steps, by helping them become job ready. They will employ a number of female apprentices directly and provide mentoring support throughout, empowering women to choose a career path in the electrotechnology industry. The WaTT program was recently launched in Hobart. Madeleine Ogilvie MP, Minister for Small Business and Minister for
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Advanced Manufacturing and Defence Industries, thanked NECA Education and Careers for developing the program, speaking on the benefits of programs like Women and Their Trade for the participants and the wider industry. Also in attendance were representatives from Keystone Tasmania, The Department of Education, Independent Schools Tasmania, Skills Tasmania, Tas TAFE and some of NECA Education and Careers’ valued host business partners. Without the great support of host business partners, initiatives like this would not be possible. Eleven female apprentices from the WaTT program attended the launch, which was later followed by a professional development program. Guest speaker Robyn Moore gave an engaging presentation, eliciting laughs and tears
from the audience as she spoke about being strong, empowered and resilient.
About the WaTT program The WaTT program aims to give women information on the many great career opportunities available to them in the electrical industry. The purpose is to get interested women to a point where they can make an informed decision on a future career, and be on a level playing field, so that when an apprenticeship opportunity arises, they can put their best foot forward. In NECA Education and Careers’ experience, once female applicants are at this point they are well equipped to proceed with an electrical career.
June 2022
