Sixteen Year 10 students from Portland Central School put down their pens and picked up chisels and saws last week, gaining valuable hands-on experience in carpentry as part of the Trade Readiness program.
Held on Wednesday 25 June, the full-day workshop gave students the opportunity to build a foldaway chair using recycled timber. Guided by industry professionals, they learned how to read construction plans, measure accurately, work with angles, and use traditional hand tools like chisels, hammers, mallets, block planes and handsaws.
The initiative is part of the Central West Trade Readiness program, delivered under the Regional Industry Education Partnerships (RIEP) banner. Funded by the Construction Industry Workforce team, the program provides practical exposure to trades-based careers and vocational pathways for students across New South Wales.
Program officer Jacquie Smith said the opportunity allowed students to explore career options while developing skills they might not typically learn in a classroom setting.
“Central West Trade Readiness is a structured program providing students with a taste of trade careers and pathways in construction,” she said.
“During Term 2, 18 schools across the region participated in the program. Classes of 16 students spent two days building their own foldaway chair made with recycled wood. It’s not just about learning tools and techniques—it’s also about developing confidence, self-reliance, and problem-solving skills.”
Jacquie said the hands-on nature of the project was designed to encourage students to think about their futures and the possibilities that come with vocational education and training (VET).
“In 2024-25, limited funding has been made available for the RIEP program to deliver Trade Readiness to interested schools,” she said. “It’s a way of setting students up for success—whether that’s through further study or a pathway directly into the workforce.”
The Portland workshop offered students the opportunity to gain a clearer understanding of careers in carpentry and construction, while also giving them the satisfaction of completing a functional and practical piece of furniture.
Student feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
“It was great! I enjoyed the complexity of it and learning new skills,” said Year 9 student Nina.
Josiah Hawkins, Year 10, said the process was challenging but rewarding. “The construction of the chair was challenging, but I learnt new techniques,” he said.
Ben Wallis, also in Year 10, appreciated the chance to engage with the hands-on aspect of the experience. “The practical work while crafting the chair was the best part,” he said.
The event also gave interested students the opportunity to speak with industry professionals and consider the broad range of career opportunities in trades and construction—sectors facing increasing demand for skilled workers.
For many participants, it was more than just a day off from the usual school routine. It was a chance to imagine their future, one carefully measured cut at a time.
