Try a Trade Day

Written by Mr Mark Rieken, Construction, Engineering and Manufacturing, Design Technology Teacher

A group of nine Year 10 Construction students attended a CSQ (Construction Skills Queensland) try a trade day. The students were hosted by Hutchinson Builders and CSQ on the future site of the Caboolture Satellite Hospital. 

The day started with a brief site induction by several key personnel and their background and how they started in the construction industry up to what they do now. This also included a time with the site Operations Manager about his role on the site. The boys then moved into a rotation of three hands on tasks. These included Tiling, Plastering and Carpentry.

Students also had the opportunity to observe the roles of the Crane Operator and Dogger, using their hand signals and whistle commands, as a large structural support member was installed, with the steel fabricators finalising the install by welding it into place. This highlighted the need to be able to communicate and work as a team to ensure the job is done safely and accurately.

Mr Hayden Willis (NCOB 2017) first year mature age Apprentice also spoke to boys during lunch about what he has done since leaving Nudgee College and then joining the Hutchies Team.  This included a varied pathway from installing solar farms to structural landscape gardening. He emphasised to the boys that it is ok to explore different paths until they find what they truly want to do.

Hutchinson Builders' Head Trainer and his team spoke to boys about the expectations of being a Tradesperson. Skills can be taught but it is the attitude and application they are looking for when assessing the future apprentices. Various other trades and trainers spoke on the many various pathways available within the construction industry during their demonstrations and site tour.

Overall the boys said the day was enjoyable and they all learnt something new.