Bulletin

Issue: January/February 2006

Awards

Career change to boost trade skills

Metal fabricator and welder, Karen O’Reilly, has spent 15 years helping build frigates and working on other large projects for shipyards and engineering firms.

Set on career change, she completed a Graduate Diploma in Vocational Education and Training at La Trobe University, and this year goes on to do her Masters degree in Education – testament to the opportunities for people in trades to move into teaching.

Ms O’Reilly has also won the 2005 National International Specialised Skills Institute (ISS) Overseas Fellowship in ‘pipe fitting’ and ‘design and creativity’. She was one of 21 people from a range of industries to receive the prestigious award late last year which aims to fill skills gaps for industry.

The award sponsors her to travel and work overseas this year to hone further her specialist skills in metal fabrication and pipefitting – skills that are in short supply across Australia.

‘There are no training courses available in Australia for pipe fitters,’ she says, ‘yet industry is crying out for people with pipe fitting skills. The fellowship will enable me to see training initiatives overseas with the view of enhancing curriculum development in Australia.’

The ISS award capped a rewarding year for Ms O’Reilly who was offered and accepted a VET teaching position midway through her course.

For her Masters degree at La Trobe she will pursue research in curriculum creativity and design in trades and the role of women in non-traditional trade areas.

‘The beauty of these courses at La Trobe is that you can continue to work while you study, as classes are offered at weekends and during vacation,’ she says.

Dr Damon Cartledge, senior lecturer in Adult, Vocational and Technology Education, says there are significant shortages of technology and design teachers in secondary schools and TAFE colleges across Australia.

‘Opportunities for people in trades and industry to move into teaching have never been better.

‘Schools are courting us for graduates and many of our students receive job offers before they complete their course.’