Times Past: December 6, 1991

Amanda Bourne had a simple message for women thinking of pursuing a career in the trades: "Go for it."

The 18-year-old was one of seven women to finish a preparatory motor mechanics course at the ACT Institute of TAFE as part of a national drive to increase women's participation in non-traditional areas.

Amanda was full of praise for the federally-funded course - she secured an apprenticeship midway through the semester unit - and encouraged other women not to restrict their options.

There were four female ACT automotive mechanics at the time. So if all seven trainees gained a place, the participation rate would have increased by 175 per cent.

The students received congratulatory letters during the launch of the ACT implementation of the National Plan of Action for Women in TAFE.

The plan aimed to improve accessibility to accredited courses for women, their participation in vocational training, the TAFE learning and physical environment, support services for women, the participation of women in TAFE decision-making and to ensure they benefited equally from training for industry and award restructuring.

See more: trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/13013897