Maths support helps future engineers to find their groove

Madi Holmes has always been someone who likes to be different. So, entering a niche trade like Fitting and Turning suits her.

‘I don’t want to do what everyone else is doing. And when choosing a trade, I wanted it to be something different. Fitting and Turning ticks all the boxes,’ she said.

A fitter and turner is a skilled tradesperson who assembles, manufactures and repairs mechanical equipment by fitting and machining metal parts.

‘My trade is a bit of everything. It’s a hard trade to sum up,’ Madi says.

‘It’s such a diverse and complex trade – that’s the reason I’m doing it.’

Madi is an apprentice who is learning on the job at ARB 4x4 Accessories. Her apprenticeship includes training at Swinburne University of Technology. She is completing her Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade.

Madi completed year 12 at secondary school in 2020, during the Covid lockdowns. She didn’t want to do more learning while sitting in front of a computer, so decided to do work-based learning instead, through an apprenticeship with ARB.

‘At ARB, my work is engaging. I want a trade where I don’t get bored,’ she said.

‘I’m getting experience and exposure to possibilities through ARB. I’m always engaged and learning.’

Her training at Swinburne does involve some classroom work, studying engineering theory. But thanks to Victoria’s Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Support program, Madi and her classmates have extra support.

Through the program, teachers qualified in providing support with literacy, numeracy and digital (LND) skills are paired with VET teachers to help students succeed. Reading, writing, maths and computer support is integrated into the course and tailored to meet industry needs.

The program is supported by Free TAFE, so students do not pay extra tuition fees to access the training.

‘I found it beneficial because our LND teacher was there in the classroom hearing about all the things we were learning, but she has the background in literacy, numeracy and digital support,’ Madi said.

It is an important program because workplace demands are evolving rapidly. Employers increasingly need graduates with strong foundational skills as well as technical skills.

Madi thinks the program is helpful for adults who have been in the workforce for a while.

‘I haven’t been at school for 5 years, so the LND teacher was great for refreshing my memory,’ she said.

‘One thing for me was using the Pythagoras theorem – I didn’t do maths in Years 11 and 12. So the LND teacher helped me to fill in some gaps.’

She points out that not all kids feel engaged at school, but they are interested in learning at TAFE or doing an apprenticeship.

‘Having LND support is an integral part of closing the gap for kids that haven’t finished school who want to excel in a trade,’ she said.

‘Also, having that support offered to all students supports inclusivity and encourages students to ask for help.’

Madi believes there is still stigma around asking for help with things like reading, writing, maths and digital technology.

‘There are people who don’t want to ask for help and say, “I’ll figure it out myself”,’ she said.

‘Having support offered to everyone in the class together makes people want to get help. No one is being singled out and told “you need extra support”.’

Looking ahead, Madi is keen to do more training and would like to go on to complete a Cert IV. Further into the future, her dream is to run her own business.

‘I’m more than happy at ARB but I would love to find a niche in the market and have my own little factory one day,’ she said.

She would highly recommend taking up a trade or training at TAFE to anyone who is interested.

‘I would 100% recommend going to TAFE to learn a trade – it’s hands-on. Practising hands-on helps you learn, and you get more out of it because you’re creating something.’

‘You’re getting involved. Because you’ve chosen to be there.’

Learn more about literacy, numeracy and digital support at TAFE.