Try-a-Trade

What is Try-a-Trade

A Try-a-Trade event provides young people with the chance to find out about various occupations by learning some of the skills used in particular jobs.

The event is staged over one or more days in a central location. A number of separate areas are set up, each one designated to a particular occupation. The students, in groups of 2 or 3 spend about 20 minutes in each occupation/trade area.

In each of these areas there is a local tradesperson, apprentice or FET instructor who teaches the students a simple task that provides an introduction to that occupation in a hands-on, dynamic way.

The skills that they learn are, where possible, ones that they may use back at home, e.g. clearing a trap under a sink, fixing a hole in a wall with plaster. The students get to have a go at the tasks themselves and find out how they can become say, a plumber. What training they need. What a typical day at work involves. They have the chance to talk to someone in the business about what working in that area is really like, and what paths they can follow to get there.

Try-a-Trade targets high school students who are considering their future, however younger students have also shown a high level of interest.

Why Try-a-Trade

 A Try-a-Trade event encourages young people to think about their future and the importance of getting an education so they can get a job.

The idea is that local people working in the chosen professions engage with the students by not just talking to them about their job, but also reinforcing the importance of staying at school and improving their skills now so that they can follow whatever path they choose.

It gives students the chance to spend some time with young role models in their community and learn some useful skills at the same time.

Click here to learn more about Try-a-Trade (Please note that this document is in pdf format and may take a while to download)