At Eumemmerring Secondary College, from left, Ashlee, Anwar, apprentice Sam Rutherford, Lafaele, Katie, Scott Cam, Jennifer, Mouhamed, Jason, Bree and VECCI business development consultant Leigh Otten launch a national campaign to encourage students to undertake apprenticeships yesterday.
TELEVISION tradie Scott Cam ducked away from the glamour of the production studio yesterday (Wednesday) to visit Eumemmerring Secondary College.
His mission was to teach the year 10 students a thing or two about woodwork.
The visit to the college’s Hallam campus marked the launch of a national campaign to encourage young people to take up apprenticeships.
New figures show more than half of people aged 15 to 24 and nearly one third aged 15 to 19 will leave formal education with no qualifications.
Promoters of the national campaign say this adversely affects their life chances.
Mr Cam, who served an apprenticeship as a carpenter more than 20 years ago, has put his weight behind the campaign.
By any measure, he could be said to have made the most of his occupation. Beyond the bright lights of television, he now runs a carpentry business and employs an apprentice of his own.
At Eumemmerring Secondary College he urged the students to think about pursuing a career in the construction industry.
“There’s nothing better than being your own boss,” he said.
“An apprenticeship gives you training for a lifelong career and you can apply your trade anywhere in the world.”
The national advertising scheme has the backing of Bisley Workwear and Bunnings Warehouse, in partnership with the Australian Apprenticeships Alliance, a network linking trainers and businesses.
