The story so far...

To expect something different, we have to do something different.  Trades At School is doing exactly that - influencing the future by working outside the square in the present.  It began as a visionary seed to empower youth who were leaving school with little purpose and direction.  Over the past several years it has been quietly gaining momentum and is fast becoming the interface between school, tertiary environments and industry.

Trades At School is a direct response to the skill needs of our industries.  It prepares a higher calibre of youth to meet those needs and aims to support industry competitiveness in the local and global markets by providing the best human resources.  It is also a conduit for community collaboration so that youth are fully supported to becoming confident, productive members of society.

Whilst Trades At School has been faced with exciting opportunities, we remain a vehicle for change that is focussed on our vision of empowering the next generation through industry.  Therefore, to meet the needs of those youth who may eventually end up in industry but currently feel lost in the school system, Trades At School identifies relevance to life after secondary school and gives tangible purpose that youth can:

• Visualise - to see themselves in the future and what they can become

• Personalise - knowing their talents and gifts are being developed for valuable practical use

• Emotionalise - encouraging self motivation and excitement about their future and personal growth