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Photo by Anna France

Girls’ Shed is coming!

Lesley Signal-Cambridge —

On Thursday 18th March, Queen’s hosted a breakfast to acknowledge and thank representatives from a range of organisations who have agreed to work together to help us create a Girls’ Shed here at Queen’s. Students will be able to use this space to learn how to safely use tools, and to make items following plans.

Young women will benefit from, and be empowered by, learning to use tools and to create useful items with hard materials… we are thinking about making some more picnic tables for the school grounds, to start with. Students’ employment options will be broadened by holding these skills, and they will also develop problem solving, decision making and practical skills - along with developing resilience and self reliance.

We are grateful to Mark Cartwright from Workforce Central Dunedin who is co-ordinating with many other organisations to get the project happening. The school is benefiting from the vision and involvement of a number of supporters, such as Jason Tutty of Naylor Love, and other organisations such as BCITO, ETCO, Otago Polytechnic, Women in Trades, Otago Chamber of Commerce and Mitre 10.

Our Year 10 DVC students are currently involved in designing the building, and other students will also have the opportunity to submit plans as part of a design competition. We will then work with the professionals to refine the plans and turn them into a workable project, for building later in the year.

By the end of 2021 we envisage young women working successfully and confidently with tools and wood during lunchtimes, and gaining skills and qualifications as they do so.

Follow this link to learn a little more about what Workforce Central Dunedin does -

https://www.growregions.govt.nz/media-centre/news/open-for-business-dunedin-skills-hub-launches/