In The Media
latest news from the skill engineer ltd
Engineering a Path for Women – Girls of Steel Program Paves the Way for Success
Annalise Van Donk, a recent graduate of The Skill Engineer Ltd.’s Girls of Steel program, has successfully secured a Machinery Fitter Apprenticeship with UGL Engineering.
Annalise achieved this impressive achievemnt after excelling in the program, completing both the theoretical and practical components in just 12 weeks.
Annalise, driven by her ambition to gain an apprenticeship, completed the Girls of Steel program ahead of schedule with outstanding results. The program integrates training with job skills, aiming for employment upon completion.
It includes a Certificate II in Engineering and involves hands-on projects such as manufacturing park furniture, sculptures, trailers, signposts, and bespoke items.
The Skill Engineer Ltd. offers hands-on practical work in its workshop in Kariong, while InTech Institute of Technology, the Registered Training Organisation (RTO), provides the theoretical component and access to the Online Learning Portal for the knowledge components.
“I learned and reinforced theory through practical work,” Annalise said. “I started with simple projects like a phone holder and a fire pit, then moved on to creating a Batman boomerang and a coffee table.”
She added, “Welding is great fun – playing with fire is always exciting! I enjoy working with power tools and building my confidence. The course offers freedom to design what you want and is incredibly supportive, especially for women with diverse skills. As someone with a disability, I’ve found the environment to be fantastic.”
Annalise praised her new employer for their support throughout the application process and expressed confidence in their ongoing support as she completes her apprenticeship while working with UGL Engineering.
The Girls of Steel program is designed to address gender-based disparities in traditionally male-dominated trades. According to a recent Engineers Australia report, women face significant disadvantages in the workplace, with 55% of female engineers reporting fewer professional opportunities than their male counterparts.
Despite three-quarters of female engineers feeling they could “be themselves” at work, one in three indicated they felt pressured to conform to male norms. Additionally, about 20% reported experiencing workplace bullying or exclusion.
The Girls of Steel program, which receives referrals from its partnering provider Wise Employment Ltd. and is supported by the Workforce Australia Local Jobs Local Recovery Fund, aims to dismantle barriers and empower women to succeed in non-traditional trades.
For more information, or for media enquiries please contact Charlotte Dickie on 0432 806 041 or at charlotte.dickie@theskillengineer.com.au
Successful e-scooter program jeopardised by funding lack
The Skill Engineer Ltd. in Broome, WA, transforms lives with hands-on training, but its program faces critical funding challenges threatening its future.
In Broome, Western Australia, The Skill Engineer Ltd. is transforming the lives of youth involved in the criminal justice system and those with poor school attendance
In less than 12 months, this unique social enterprise has reshaped the futures of 60 participants through hands-on engineering, rural skills training, bush barber services, and a vibrant youth-led coffee shop.
CEO of The Skill Engineer Ltd., Maggie MacFie, explains, “Our participants include non-school attenders and street-present youth, some of whom, although enrolled, have not attended school for up to two years. Many face challenges such as homelessness, domestic violence, drug and substance abuse, and household overcrowding.”
“Of the 60 participants from 2023 to 2024, 25% secured full-time or part-time employment, another 25% returned to school, and the rest benefit from Transition to Work and Reconnect initiatives or alternate learning options such as TAFE.”
“Through pastoral care, wrap-around support, and engagement in projects like crafting their own e-scooter and developing vocational skills, we have achieved staggering success.”
“What began as a program to re-engage youth in education post-COVID-19 has highlighted the need for meaningful activities for hundreds of Broome youth needing extra support to improve their prospects outside traditional educational models.”
Despite its success, The Skill Engineer Ltd. faces a critical challenge due to short-term and insufficient funding, jeopardising the social and economic outcomes for at risk youth in the region.
“As our current funding ends in 2025, we are actively seeking additional support to sustain and expand our efforts,” she adds. “Without sustainable funding, we cannot continue to run this valuable program.”
“We know it works. We’re witnessing firsthand the impact on our participants, some of whom haven’t left their homes in up to six months but now attend daily.”
“We’re actively engaging with their families, coming in contact with cousins and siblings also at home or on the streets, desperately needing meaningful activities and the right support services to enhance their well-being and increase their social and civic participation,” explains MacFie.
The Skill Engineer Ltd. currently relies on funding from small grants and philanthropic donations to run its program and is actively seeking additional funds to continue in 2025. Enrolments for 2024 are full, with many participants on the waiting list.
For more information, or for an interview with program participants or CEO please contact Charlotte Dickie on 0432 806 041 or charlotte.dickie@theskillengineer.com.au.
A Celebration of Youth and Community – SoundSoul Event Draws Over 200 Attendees in Lake Munmorah
A Celebration of Youth and Community – SoundSoul Event Draws Over 200 Attendees in Lake Munmorah
The Central Coast, NSW – April 19, 2024 – The Skill Engineer Ltd. proudly hosted the SoundSoul event on Friday, April 19th, 2024. Held as part of Youth Week NSW, this all ages event brought together the vibrant energies of youth and families in Lake Munmorah and surrounding areas on the Central Coast.
Featuring the undeniable talents of Triple J unearthed legends, Pilot Buffalo, alongside an array of local performers and community services, SoundSoul was a huge success, drawing in more than 200 attendees. The event aimed to foster social inclusion and provide engaging activities for youth and families in areas where such opportunities are limited.
“We could not have anticipated the overwhelming response to SoundSoul,” said Sharon Aldrick Creative Coordinator at The Skill Engineer Ltd. “With over 220 people in attendance, it was a testament to the collaborative efforts of our partners and the enthusiasm of the community.”
SoundSoul was made possible through the generous support and participation of fifteen local services, including Song Lab, yspace Central Coast, the Central Coast Council, among others, alongside dedicated youth volunteers. Their contributions ensured a diverse and enriching experience for all attendees.
The event kicked off with a series of performances and workshops, including soul-stirring sets by Jack Crouch, Maya Simpson, UV Ultraviolet Band, and Oli Byrnes, among others. Attendees were treated to a DJ workshop led by Cody, followed by an a stellar performance by Pilot Buffalo to close out the event.
“It was truly a joyous day for all involved,” added Sharon Aldrick. “The smiles and positive energy radiating from the participants underscored the impact of events like SoundSoul in our community.”
SoundSoul not only provided entertainment but also served as a platform for connection and empowerment, reinforcing the importance of community engagement and support for youth initiatives. The overwhelming feedback received from partners and attendees alike has sparked discussions of future collaborations to continue fostering a vibrant and inclusive community on the northern part of the Central Coast.
SoundSoul was made possible through the generous support and participation of 15 local services, including
- Song Lab
- Skilled Creative and Digi Van
- yspace Central Coast
- Central Coast Youth Services
- We Are Uniting
- Links Youth Support Services
- headspace Lake Haven
- Gamble Aware
- Samaritans Foundation
- Table Church
- Uniting Rapt
- Interrelate
- the Y
- Omnia Inclusive Employment Solutions
- Mosaic Multicultural Connections
- Central Coast Council
SoundSoul was made possible through funding provided by the NSW Government’s Youth Opportunities program.
For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
Charlotte Dickie: 0432 806 041
Acknowledgement
We acknowledge the traditional owners of this land, the Darkinjung, Pangerang and Yawuru peoples and pay respects to their elders past and present. We thank them for sharing their country, their culture and their language.We look to the future with hope as we walk side by side with our First Nations people in the spirit of reconciliation and truth telling.
Tuggerah, NSW
Ph: (02) 4304 3031
14/1 Bounty Close, Tuggerah NSW 2259
Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wangaratta, VIC
Ph: (03) 5737 4257
16 Osboldstone Rd, Wangaratta VIC 3677
Monday to Friday, 7am - 5pm
Broome, WA
Ph: 0428 995 955
41 Blackman St, Broome WA 6725
Monday to Friday 8:00am - 2:00pm
Contact Us
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