For the past week, the year 10 student has been mixing it with the cabinet makers at JD Kitchens in Orange as part of an initiative to get women interested in trades. 

But Eliza does not need much convincing and cannot work out why women are so severely underrepresented in the industry. 

“I want to do practical things, not sit in an office all day,” she said. 

The Orange Business Chamber is delivering the ‘Strengthen your workforce - Think outside the status quo - Think Women project, funded by Women NSW.

The project was kicked off with a Women in Non-Traditional Trades/Occupation Section at the recent Central West Job Expo, which included guest speakers, live demonstrations and hands-on try-a-trade exhibitions for the students to have a go at.

In the first round, four girls from Blayney High School took up the option and worked as chefs and one chose carpentry and joinery. 

Eliza said she had a wonderful experience and learned everything she could while she was there. 

She even made her own bread board to take home.

Business owner John Gleeson was impressed by the skills Eliza had shown and said the finish on the bread board was one he would expect to see from a cabinet maker with experience. 

“We used to have quite a lot of boys come through for work experience ... she has performed as well if not better than the boys,” he said. 

Orange Business Chamber project coordinator Heidi Gardiner said the program would be rolled out to schools across Orange to coincide with their usual work experience programs in term four. 

She said the interest she saw from young women at the recent Central West Jobs Expo was promising. 

nicole.kuter@fairfaxmedia.com.au