Southland female students got some hands-on experience recently at a tradie event at the Meridian's Manapouri Hydro power station and a trades day at the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT).

Thirty female students and four teachers from Fiordland College, Wakatipu High and Blue Mountain College travelled to Meridian's Manapouri Hydro power station on 12th June as part of a Connexis Girls with Hi-Vis (GWHV) event.

Connexis (infrastructure) is a national industry training provider that gives young women the chance to check out industries that could eventually lead to careers in wind farms, hydro power stations, highway construction projects and water treatment plants.

Connexis executive director Kaarin Gaukrodger said GWHV offered a unique opportunity for “real world” experience for young women who may not have considered the opportunities available to them as an infrastructure trade apprentice.

“Our industries are keen to draw the attention of women toward infrastructure careers, as women have shown to add real value into the crews and teams they work with,” Gaukrodger says.

“Women can bring a different approach to jobs which can benefit everyone."

"For example, they might adapt physically demanding tasks to find a new way of doing them."

A Meridian Manapouri Mechanical fitter helps Fiordland College student Veida Trevor Smith with some of the skills that will be needed to work at the power station. Photo: Supplied

"That can reduce fatigue and improve safety onsite for everyone."

"Other valuable skill sets they might bring are attention to detail and good communication skills,” she said.

Gaukrodger says most of the infrastructure industries Connexis works with are facing severe skills shortages so they are reaching out to everyone in their local communities to make them aware of the career opportunities available.

“Infrastructure apprentices and trainees have the chance to work on huge projects, operating impressive machinery with lots of opportunities to grow, while keeping our communities connected, healthy and safe."

“The employers understand the opportunity that comes with bringing more females into their workforce, which is why so many of them have long supported GWHV."

"Our job is to make sure infrastructure trades are front of mind for the next generation of young women when they’re making decisions about their future careers."

CLICK HERE to learn more about Girls with Hi-Vis events.

Some of the attendees at this year's SIT female trades day. Photo: Supplied

Meanwhile in Invercargill around eighty secondary female students attended a trade career options at a Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) trades day held recently.

Four trade stations, manned by current Level 3 trade students, answered questions on engineering, automotive, electrical and carpentry/joinery.

A Tradie Panel also gave attendees a chance to talk with women already in a trade.

SIT Tutor/Industry Training Manager, Kane Wyatt said it had been an excellent event for girls to figure out what they needed to take in terms of subjects and courses, to get into their trade of choice.

“The girls enjoyed it, and it was great to hear the women’s experiences in the trades.”