The event is held in the Tamworth Town Hall with the support of Tamworth Regional Council. Careers Network Inc is part of the Federal Government Career Advice Australia initiative which aims to help all young people from 13 to 19 years of age achieve a successful transition through school and from school to further education, training and employment. 

 On Tuesday March 10 2009 the Kelso High School students got the chance to find out what a career in the trades might be like at the first Try-A-Trade event held at a Bunnings store.

The CWGA Roadshow aims to raise the status of traditional trades and connect young people to their future careers. This event was the largest ever held in the Central West nad students had the opportunity to out different trades ranging from hairdressing to tiling. There were 17 different activities at the event which allowed students to talk with local tradespeople, apprentices and TAFE teachers,many of whom volunteered their time to be involved. Students can spend 10 to 15 minutes at each activity in groups of two or threew and can create small projects they can take home.

CWGA CEO Ben Bardon said
Try-A-Trade aims to open students minds to the great career oppotunities being created by the skills shortage.

 Skillset Regional Industry Careers Advisor John Chivers said letting students know abot the different trades was critical. " it's absolutely critical with the students going off to join the workforce that they are aware of the different career options that are available to them, it's all part of the school to work transition process". Mr Chivers said.  

Try-A-Trade Coordinator Andrew Burke said having the event at the Bunnings store added to the authenticity of the event.

Anybody intetrested in volunteering their services for any Try-A-Trade event can contact Andrew Burke on 0428228212 0r at aburke@skillset.com.au.

On Wednesday 9^th September 2009 the Central West Group Apprentice’s Try-A-Trade truck pulled up at Bunnings Orange. The manager of the Try-A-Trade initiative, Andrew Burke in conjunction with Careers Advisors Melissa Brown; Orange Christian School, Kaye Heron; James Sheehan Catholic High School, Senior Constable Helen Baker; PCYC SKILL programme and Amanda Ferguson, Central West Group Apprentices organised for the Skills to Schools Roadshow to have it’s inaugural event at the Bunnings Orange store.

 This was made possible by the support and assistance of Group Training Australia (GTA Ltd) through DEEWR acquired funding thanks to Jodie Innes, National Access Manager Group Training Australia and Bunnings Orange Store, particularly Jason Lynne, Store Manager, Sue Rodwell, Community Activities Coordinator and their fantastic team of tradesmen.

 Other local industry and businesses who donated their time and expertise included Country Energy, Orange City Council, Gallery 137 Hairdressing, Geoff Pollack Bricklaying, Central West Youth Transition Services, Australian Business Limited and TAFE NSW. Volunteers gave up their time to share their skills and knowledge with the local students and to help address the skills shortage that we currently experience in the trade industry.

 The day commenced at the early hours of 6:30 am when Andrew arrived at the Bunnings store to find keen team members ready to set up the warehouse for the day to begin. A sincere thank you must be given to the Bunnings and CWGA team members who gave up their time in the early hours to help Andrew set up the 12 trades so the students could ‘try-a-trade’. 

The day was divided into 4 sessions which ran for a period of approx 60 minutes. Each session was made available to around 30 year 10 students.

The first two sessions were filled by Orange Christian School the third by James Sheehan Catholic High School and the last by the PCYC Skill Young Offenders programme.

The 120 students were able to meet with local tradespeople at each post and discuss with them the trade and what demands it involves as well as how they go about applying for an apprenticeship or traineeship in that industry.

 At each different station the students were to complete simple tasks based on that particular trade, under the supervision of qualified tradespeople from the local community. There were a total of 12 trades available for the 120 students to try. The trades in attendance and their corresponding tasks are outlined below.