A trade careers program aimed at Dubbo students in Years 7-12 will proceed thanks to funding secured by Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders.
Skillset, the largest employer of young people in trades across Western NSW, has developed the ‘Trade Up’ program to help increase its connection to trade careers and activities, along with local employers. It will also provide mentoring to help address the transition to sustainable trade careers, and local skills shortages.
Mr Saunders said $90,570 has been allocated to Skillset Dubbo to run the program.
“I have been in talks with Skillset for some time about the great work it does with young people, and the skills and opportunities provided to help them enter into a trade,” Mr Saunders said.
“This funding shores up the future of the program and I am proud to be able to make that happen.
“We know there are skills shortages in certain areas, and programs like ‘Trade Up’ give teens the chance to be pointed in the right direction when it comes to a trade career.”
Skillset chief executive officer Craig Randazzo said the program will offer all secondary students in the Dubbo electorate the opportunity to access high-quality and consistent trade advice.
“This funding we have received from the NSW Government is so important to ensure we are able to offer these programs to school students so they are receiving the latest and most accurate information regarding trade careers,” he said.