In The Media
latest news from the skill engineer ltd
Metal Matriarchs – Empowering First Nations Women in Engineering
The Skill Engineer Ltd. is proud to announce it has been awarded funding through the Return to Work Pathways Program established by the NSW Government to deliver Metal Matriarchs: Empowering First Nations Women in Engineering – a dynamic new initiative set to launch in July 2025.
Running over 12 months, the program will support First Nations women to re-enter the workforce in non-traditional trades. Participants will complete a Certificate II in Engineering and be guided into employment or self-employment opportunities. The program will be culturally informed through the leadership of Elders and First Nations staff, ensuring a strong community connection throughout.
Participants will gain hands-on skills by creating bespoke metalwork pieces such as outdoor furniture and sculptures in a professional engineering workshop. They will also undertake field trips, build employability skills including technology use, complete work readiness workshops, and engage in work experience placements.
The Skill Engineer Ltd. is proud to partner with InTech as the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) for Metal Matriarchs. InTech brings a strong commitment to inclusive, high-quality vocational education and has a proven track record of delivering accredited training pathways that create real career opportunities.
WISE Employment also joins the initiative as a referral partner. As a leading employment services provider on the Central Coast, WISE brings valuable local knowledge and a demonstrated commitment to supporting First Nations jobseekers. Their involvement will help ensure the program reaches women ready to re-engage with education, training, and employment pathways.
Participants will also have opportunities to set career goals, explore starting micro-businesses, build financial literacy, and connect with health and wellbeing services to support broader life outcomes. Additional certificates such as forklift training will be offered to strengthen participants’ employability.
Metal Matriarchs builds on the success of The Skill Engineer Ltd.’s Girls of Steel program (2021–2023), which saw outstanding outcomes including 10 apprenticeships, 12 full-time and self-employment outcomes, 12 part-time or casual placements, and multiple participants entering further training or returning to school to complete their HSC.
We are thrilled to continue expanding opportunities for First Nations women and can’t wait to see the achievements that will come from Metal Matriarchs.
Community Comes Together for the Launch of ‘In My Shoes’ During Harmony Week
community comes together for the launch of ‘in my shoes’ during harmony week
On Thursday 20 March 2025, The Skill Engineer Ltd. proudly launched In My Shoes, an innovative digital storytelling initiative empowering young people from culturally diverse backgrounds to share their stories and perspectives through film and podcasting. The event was held at The Hub, Erina, and formed part of the broader Harmony Week celebrations – a national recognition of Australia’s cultural diversity and shared values of respect and inclusiveness.
Supported by the Multicultural NSW COMPACT (Community Partnership Action) Program, In My Shoes brings together young people aged 12–30 with local creatives and mentors to build media skills, explore identity, and create powerful stories that strengthen understanding and unity on the Central Coast.
The launch was attended by community members, young creatives, and representatives from across the region. Guest speakers included Maggie MacFie, CEO of The Skill Engineer Ltd.; Lucy Wicks, Liberal candidate for Robertson; Daniel Nour, Digital Media Officer (Community Resilience) at Multicultural NSW; Chad Partridge, Central Coast Council; Beth Bolte, Central Coast Community Council; Anannya Bandaru, Founder of Kalpa Vruksha; Amro Mohi, Videographer; and Grace Nguyen from Services Australia.
“The In My Shoes project embraces the rich diversity of young people on the Central Coast, empowering them to unite against fear and division and champion community harmony,” said CEO Maggie MacFie. “We thank everyone who joined us to celebrate Harmony Week and the beginning of this exciting journey.”
Guests enjoyed a Harmony Lunch catered by Indie Delights, showcasing Indian cuisine with a modern twist. Remaining food was generously donated to Kalpa Vruksha, a local not-for-profit supporting the community.
The Skill Engineer Ltd. extends its thanks to all those who attended and supported the event, and congratulates the Skilled Creative team and Creative Director Mike McCarthy for their efforts in delivering a meaningful and memorable celebration.
Stay tuned for upcoming workshops and the end-of-year Multicultural Short Film Screening, where the voices of local youth will take centre stage.
In My Shoes is a digital storytelling initiative that gives young people from culturally diverse backgrounds the opportunity to share their stories through media production. Guided by professional mentors, participants gain hands-on experience in filmmaking, podcasting, and digital storytelling.
For more information visit In My Shoes.
TSE Launches ‘In My Shoes’ and Invites the Community to Harmony Week Lunch
The Skill Engineer Ltd. is proud to launch In My Shoes, an innovative digital storytelling initiative that empowers young people from culturally diverse backgrounds to share their stories through digital storytelling. Funded by the Multicultural NSW COMPACT (Community Partnership Action) Program, this initiative aims to strengthen understanding, resilience, and social cohesion across the Central Coast.
To celebrate the launch and Harmony Week, The Skill Engineer Ltd. invites the community to a Harmony Lunch at The Hub Erina on Thursday, 20 March 2025, from 12:00PM to 1:30PM.
In My Shoes provides young people with hands-on experience in media production, guided by professional mentors. Through storytelling, the project aims to promote unity and challenge division, ensuring that diverse voices are heard and valued.
“The In My Shoes project embraces the rich diversity of young people on the Central Coast, empowering them to unite against fear and division and champion community harmony,” said Maggie MacFie, CEO of The Skill Engineer Ltd.
“By offering young people the opportunity to share their stories, and teach media skills in this evolving digital landscape, we are building a more inclusive and resilient community that celebrates the richness of cultural diversity,” she said.
Participants, aged 12-30, will be identified through regional partners, including the Central Coast Community Council. The program will also engage local professional videographers and producers to bring these stories to life.
A key highlight of the project will be the Multicultural Short Film Screening, held at the year’s end to celebrate young storytellers and showcase the power of diversity and inclusion within our community.
The Harmony Lunch is a chance to connect with others who are passionate about digital storytelling, diversity, and inclusion. Guests will hear from The Skill Engineer Ltd. and key partners about In My Shoes and how young people and the community can get involved. Whether you’re a young person with a story to tell, a creative looking to collaborate, or a community member eager to support, this event is for you.
Acknowledgement
We acknowledge the traditional owners of this land, the Darkinung, 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.
Central Coast, NSW
Ph: (02) 4304 3031
14/1 Bounty Close, Tuggerah NSW 2259
Yirang Centre – 22 Kincumber Street, Kincumber NSW 2251
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41 Blackman St, Broome WA 6725
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