Riverina high schoolers explore careers in the metal industry through a new program

Thomas Smyth is among a group of students undertaking a new program to explore career opportunities in an industry that is one of the Riverina’s biggest employers – metal and manufacturing.

Over the course of eight weeks TAFE NSW Wagga Wagga is offering 12 Riverina high students a chance to explore trade pathways in welding, manufacturing and design and develop hands-on skills.

The Forge Your Career in Metals and Manufacturing program, delivered by TAFE NSW in partnership with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and Training Services NSW, seeks to build a pipeline of future workers.

With a passion for metal fabrication and welding, Thomas hopes to pursue a career in the metal industry.

“It is stuff I’ve always liked looking at, and getting to know it better is really interesting,” Thomas said.

“We learned about different skills throughout all the other trades in the metal industry.

“Before, I wasn’t 100 per cent sure … now this is for me. This is what I want to do.”

The Year 10 Kooringal High School student said TAFE had provided plenty of hands-on experience.

“It’s been a really good opportunity for me and the other students,” said Thomas.

Born and raised in Wagga, Thomas hopes to pursue his career in the metal industry in the Riverina.

As one of the biggest employers in the region, the metal industry is experiencing an aging workforce.

TAFE NSW said 8.8 per cent of Riverina workers were employed in the manufacturing industry, and a median age of 42 indicated that young people were needed to fill roles.

With 15.4 per cent of Riverina’s total workforce aged 15 to 24, it presents an opportunity to entice more young people to careers in manufacturing trades.

Franc Prestia, the head teacher of metal fabrication and welding at TAFE NSW, said the students had so far learned about computer programming and put their skills into action with the CNC milling machine.

“The technology is very current in the industry, and it’s important that the students know there’s an opportunity out there as a pathway to employment,” Mr Prestia said.

“The program offers exposure, and it’s interesting for students when they realise it’s not just manual labour.

“There’s a lot of high-end technology involved in the metal manufacturing industries.”

Mr Prestia said TAFE NSW would like to support the students in securing apprenticeships through their training opportunities.

“Long-term goals are to support local industry with an ongoing pathway through schools and TAFE NSW, leading to jobs,” Mr Prestia said.

Minister for Skills, TAFE, and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said the government’s key priority was growing the local manufacturing workforce.

“Attracting more young people to careers in the industry is critical to ensuring we have a steady pipeline of skilled workers across the range of technical roles,” Mr Whan said.

“TAFE NSW delivers practical, on-the-tools skills training for a range of manufacturing jobs, such as metal fabrication, welding, and CNC machining.

“The Forge Your Career program introduces high school students to the range of careers on offer in the manufacturing sector, as well as some hands-on skills to give them a taste of learning with TAFE NSW.”

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said it was vital to future-proof manufacturing in regional NSW areas like the Riverina and equip the younger generation with the tools and skills they would need to pursue fulfilling trade careers.

“I consider this an important program because it shows students what is possible and allows them to get hands-on experience, which is essential for getting job-ready,” Ms Moriarty said.