Did you ever imagine yourself doing something completely different? Perhaps a job you hadn't thought of, or one you hadn't realised even existed? Last week, more than 1,500 Gippsland secondary school students poured into Lardner Park for the JobSkills Expo and the Your Gippsland 2035 showcase!
A new concept for the Expo this year, Your Gippsland 2035 was designed to introduce the world of trade and technology industries to female and gender-diverse students. The pavilion was jam-packed with hands-on activities and presentations by a whole host of professional women smashing gender stereotypes on a daily basis, carving a path in traditionally male-dominated industries.
Students rolled their sleeves up and took part in a whole range of activities. They could:
- Imagine a different future for Gippsland in VR with Gippsland Climate Change Network and Mindflight.
- Kick a goal with Gippsport and Volunteering Gippsland, literally!
- Plant seedlings with the Mine Land Rehabilitation Authority.
- Make a latte with Dream Organic Coffee or practice their knife work with Chef Jess from Narkoojee Winery.
- Send a paper plane soaring with the Australian Women's Pilot Association. The winner clocked 16 metres!!
- Or see if the shoe fitted at the Reverse Wardrobe, where students could try on a whole range of work gear to see future versions of themselves in different careers.
Another big highlight of the day was the ‘construction corner’ by Gippsland Employment Skills Training (GEST) and the Traralgon Men's Shed, where students used nail guns and power tools to construct a mud kitchen amongst other things. At first, many students were apprehensive, saying, "No, that's not something I could do." But with a little encouragement and support, they took to the tools and literally nailed it!
Your Gippsland 2035 was all about providing a positive and inclusive environment where everyone felt welcome. Students had lots of space to do the activities, have meaningful conversations, or just sit down to decompress. The goal was to open students' minds to a whole world of possibilities and for female and gender-diverse students to see themselves in non-traditional roles. Because you can't be what you can't see.
Your Gippsland 2035 was a collaboration between the LVA, the Department of Education, and Baw Baw Latrobe Local Learning Network.
