Tool time at Jubilee: Girls explore the world of timber and trades

In partnership with Empowered Women in Trades (EWIT), OneFortyOne recently welcomed 18 Year 9 and 10 students from Grant High School to its Jubilee Sawmill for a hands-on Tool Skills Day, an initiative designed to build confidence and spark interest in timber and trade careers among young women.

The event was facilitated through the PINE Community Grants Program, which connected EWIT with OneFortyOne to deliver a practical and engaging experience.

OneFortyOne Maintenance Manager Kyle Summers said the Tool Skills Day was a special opportunity to see beyond the gates and meet the Jubilee teams.

“This year, we worked closely with EWIT and Grant High School to tailor the event specifically for Year 9 and 10 students, recognising the value of introducing career pathways early on,” Kyle said.

The day began with an empowerment session led by EWIT, helping students build confidence and self-awareness, and a presentation from OneFortyOne foresters Robyn Patient and Chloe Mackenzie. They then rotated through mechanical and electrical activities with Jubilee’s maintenance team, using tools to build and test their creations.

A behind-the-scenes sawmill tour gave the group a close-up look at timber processing and the technology behind it, with the day wrapping up with a career pathways talk by Julie Tipene from SYC.

Students Chelsea and Aynslee shared their reflections on the experience.

“I enjoyed talking to the employees about how they got into their careers, their pathways and what they do and don’t like about their jobs,” Chelsea said.

“The tour was also really interesting because we got to see how the wood was processed and see how the activities we did would relate to real jobs in the mill.”

“I liked the mechanical activity, and when the people talked through what each part was used for. Once you put it together, you could see that in action,” Aynslee said.

“Also, seeing how much of the process in the mill is done by machines and electrical systems, it’s not just about physical strength anymore. There are opportunities for all kinds of people.”

Both students expressed interest in pursuing trade careers, with Chelsea considering cabinetry and architecture, and Aynslee planning to gain experience as a diesel mechanic before joining her family’s business.

“I think this sort of stuff should be held very often,” Chelsea said.

“It was really cool to see how it all works, and I think there’d be lots of interest for girls to explore different trades and pathways, even if they don’t know what they want to do.”

Kyle said the day was a valuable way to connect with a different group, especially in an industry with a long history of male representation.

“There’s no shortage of ability – it’s about making sure people can see what’s possible,” Kyle said.

“Opportunities like this give students a chance to explore different pathways they might not have considered and help break down the idea that trades and timber jobs are only for a certain type of person.”

OneFortyOne’s apprenticeship program is now open, taking applications for electricians and mechanical fitters.

Applications close 19 September 2025; for more information, visit Job Vacancies – One Forty One.