Page 32 - ETU Journal Autumn 2017

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tHE Etu > AutuMn 2016
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ApprENTIcES > NATIONAL CONFERENCE
natiOnaL aPPrentice
suicide prevention and intervention. I strongly believe that this highlights the importance of being observant of each other and checking in on our mates. This may include standing
up for safe work practices or linking our fellow trades men and women to counselling services offered though Protect.
cOnference
Women working in a male- dominated industry
By Jason o’halloran, 4th Year Apprentice and Consultative ACommittee member
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
Lance McCallum, the ETU’s National Policy Officer, outlined the proposals from the latest discussion paper by
the Department of Education and Training. We deliberated over
the VET quality framework, standards for registered
training organisations and proposed reforms to help shape the future for the next generation of electricians.
Looking out for your mates
An organisation called Mates in Construction was discussed,
which is available in select states. I personally think that this would be great to have nationwide, as their aim is to combat the high level of suicide amongst Australian construction workers and they specifically target
A discussion led by Jess Rodgers, the industrial officer from CEPU SA, shed light on women working in male- dominated industries. Currently, only 2.5% of all national ETU apprentices are women. The bottom line is that we all need to play our part in boosting these numbers to contribute to an equitable future.
generating conversation
Generating conversation is key
to shaping our future. Talk to your mates, check in on your mates; do you think that they could somehow benefit from the ETU? If so, perhaps generating conversation may help them stay connected. Statistics show that many trades women and men would consider enquiring into the benefits of the ETU if someone asked them. Generating conversation
can lead to a louder voice and subsequently to bringing better outcomes for current and future electricians.
It’s your trade; it’s your future. n
ffffflongside Apprentices Officer Omar Merhi and fellow apprentice Jackson Mckee from
Victoria, I had the pleasure of attending the 2016 National Apprentice Conference hosted in Adelaide at the CEPU office.
The conference highlighted various issues currently impacting apprentices around the country and was facilitated by National Apprentices Officer, Mark Burgess. We were lucky to be joined by numerous state officials and guest speakers, including ETU National Secretary Allen Hicks.
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