“I think I can do anything now. Plus, I look great in Hi Vis”  
Pam – participant, Introduction to Carpentry workshop

‘Our young people are extremely blessed to be crossing paths with the Bower while completing their senior studies’
Diana Kljajevic - School Manager, Youth off the Streets ‘Step Up’ program

Help the Bower provide practical life skills, trades opportunities and open the door for employment to disadvantaged young people and women of all ages.

Donate today to our Opportunities Appeal and help us raise $15,000 to establish and run our series of Opportunity Workshops - practical hands-on trade-oriented workshops for those who are missing out, and need a step up in life.  

The Bower wants to give real opportunities to young people and women - not just to look good in ‘hi vis’ - but to learn practical skills in building, carpentry, and other hands on trades.  

Help fund a series of workshops to give skills and opportunities to disadvantaged young people and women of all ages.

Over the past 12 months the Bower has developed partnerships with organisations working with disadvantaged and diverse communities, to trial innovative and engaging introductory training programs in construction, carpentry, power tools handling and more.
 
Partnering with Youth off the Streets, as part of their Step Up program, the Bower has been conducting pilot workshops with at risk young people in ‘Building a Tiny House’, and a popular follow up – ‘Building a Cubby House’.

The door to industry these projects opened, has led a number of the students to start careers in construction.    

The School Manager of Youth of the Streets ‘Step Up’, Diana Kljajevic reported back to us that:
“One female student has recently applied for a Multiplex Women in Trade program due to their positive engagement in the Cubby House Build which gave them the confidence to enter the industry.’

Help us give golden opportunities like this to more young people who have had a rocky start in life – make a tax deductible donation to our Opportunities Appeal today to fund course for disadvantaged youth.

The Bower have also begun a fruitful partnership with Tradeswomen Australia providing introductory workshops in using power tools, and in carpentry for women aged from 16 to 60! 

Many of the women disadvantaged, many from different cultures, a number also refugees, all had an interest in gaining employment in a trade that has not traditionally been available or welcoming for women.

These course proved hugely popular, with the women loving their new skills and wanting to do more!  

As well as Pam’s embracing of her new skills and hi vis fashion (at the top of this email), here are just a few more comments from participants…

“This was so incredible. I learnt so much” 
Juliet, participant ‘Introduction to Powertools’

“I’m very grateful for the Tiny House course. I will definitely pay it forward” 
Jodie, participant ‘Building a Tiny House’

‘What an opportunity. The teachers were great. I loved making my crate’ 
Louise, participant ‘Introduction to Carpentry’

Can you help us give more opportunities like these to women young and old, from disadvantaged and diverse backgrounds, to break through in a traditionally male dominated trade?

Donate today to our Opportunities Appeal and help us raise $15,000 to establish and run a regular series of practical hands-on trade-oriented workshops for young people, women and those looking for a step up in life.