Why did you choose a school-based traineeship?
I did a work placement with a local construction company and instantly enjoyed it so much that I wanted to leave school immediately and work full-time in the industry.
My parents wanted me to finish year 12, so I talked to my teachers and careers adviser and discovered I could do a school-based traineeship (SBT).
Taking up an SBT, it’s the best outcome for me. I’m in school studying a construction certificate course alongside my other subjects. I get to sit the HSC and receive an ATAR, and I’m in a paid job two days a week, learning from professional tradespeople on a construction site.
I'll be more confident and ready to go into a full-time apprenticeship after school because of the skills and experience I’ve gained through my school-based traineeship.
Construction is my favourite subject. It’s a certificate course that’s part of my school-based traineeship.
We do lots of practical learning, which is how I learn best, and our teacher is amazing. It’s 3-5 hours a week in my timetable. Right now, we're doing brick-and-block laying.
As well as learning about aspects of construction and how to use tools, the course gives me insights into jobs and the industry.
Art is another favourite subject. For my year 12 major project, I've chosen a Women in Construction theme to inspire more women to enter the trades.
I’ll be a big step ahead because I have experience and knowledge of work outside of school, and I’ve successfully worked on a construction site. So, the combination of the course and on-site experience will give me a significant advantage when I seek out a full-time apprenticeship after I finish year 12.
If an employer compares me to other school leavers who haven’t shown commitment or got the skills and experience that I have, I hope they’ll want me more.
By the end of December, I need to complete 144 days of work and my certificate to successfully finish my school-based traineeship. Then, when I take up a full-time construction apprenticeship, I can apply to have my previous work and study recognised, making for a shorter time as an apprentice and an earlier entry to becoming a qualified tradesperson.
My careers adviser asked if I would like to get up on stage and speak to a large group of year 10 and 11 students about my construction course experience and school-based trainee pathway. It was massive because I was stepping out of my comfort zone. Now, I encourage girls to explore construction pathways and trades whenever possible.
I'll be more confident and ready to go into a full-time apprenticeship after school because of the skills and experience I’ve gained through my school-based traineeship.
How are you balancing school and your SBT?
Because I started my school-based traineeship in year 12 and not in year 11 when most students take one up, I dropped one subject and now have study periods I use to catch up on anything I’ve missed. I’m still eligible to sit the HSC and to get an ATAR.
When working at the Coalcliff construction site, my routine involves waking up at six and getting a ride to the site around 7:10 am.
We gather our tools for the day, go for a safety briefing, and discuss our tasks for the day ahead. Usually, we work in pairs or groups. We have three short breaks, including lunch, and at the end of the day, we pack our tools and head home.
The days go by quickly. Working on-site is fulfilling and one of the best things in my life.
After days and days of work, one of the best parts of the job is looking back at what you've created. Knowing that I'm capable makes me proud.
I'm working on a building site up in Coalcliff, which is a beautiful area. It’s on a cliff edge with spectacular views of the Sea Cliff Bridge and the amazing open ocean.
When I'm on my lunch break, I get to sit and watch surfers catch a wave.
So, not too long ago, my previous employer couldn’t provide me with any more work, and I had to find a new job.
Getting a job is challenging, but more so in the trades because women can get overlooked.
I emailed companies, phoned people, and found that part-time workers weren’t in demand. There were jobs for full-time apprentices, however.
Luckily, there was a company building a house near where I live with a good reputation. My dad convinced me to walk over and speak to them. I'm very shy, so it was a big step out of my comfort zone to approach someone I didn’t know and ask them for a job.
I talked to the boss face to face, with my résumé in my hand. I found that talking in person and making eye contact with someone makes a big difference. Emailing or talking over the phone might be easier, but it gives you a lesser connection with the person you want to impress.
We met again for an interview, and fortunately, I got the job I needed to continue my school-based traineeship.
Recently, I helped my boss with an extension on his self-designed and built house. Seeing the site and floor plans he created was fascinating, and the spa and pool he built were impressive. It made me appreciate the idea of having your own construction company and being able to build your dream home.
I used an excavator in my previous job, which was an exciting experience. It was a small yellow excavator, and I had to learn to use all the levers and handles, which initially confused me. Still, I eventually got the hang of it. I enjoyed playing around and moving dirt. It was a highlight of my job, and I would love to do it again.
Dad works on construction sites and would come home and share photos and videos of his on-site experiences, which sparked my initial interest.
Then, I studied Timber in school from year seven to year 10, where I designed and built things using wood, which I enjoyed immensely.
When my parents decided to build our home a few years ago, Dad was heavily involved, and I got to witness the process firsthand, which led to an even deeper fascination with construction.
Seeing how the concrete slab went in, the framework for the walls went up, and the roof went on was fascinating. I even helped dig the hole in the backyard for the pool to go in. It was a cool experience to be a part of.
An SBAT is a big help in exploring the industry and getting some skills and work experience. It gives you some valuable insights into life after school.
Who are your mentors?
My construction teacher at school is very skilful in how he teaches. He was one of the people who nominated me for the training awards.
My parents are also mentors. They encouraged, guided, supported, and helped me decide on a school-based traineeship.
I have a mentor Felicity, a skilled and licenced carpenter. She began her apprenticeship at the same age I am now and is a great inspiration for me pursuing a career in the trades.
It helps if you have the skills and abilities to:
- Communicate with your whole team so the workflows and everyone knows what's happening on-site.
- Be organised and reliable so that people can rely on you.
- Problem-solve, look at something on-site and know how to fix it or at least get help. You can't stand looking at something and saying, ‘Oh, that doesn't look right’.
- Show respect for everyone on-site, especially females. We all want to feel included and valued. If proper respect isn’t on-site, the work can go wrong.
For girls out there who aren't sure what they want to do but want to try something, an SBAT is the way to go. It's one day a week on-site and four days at school.
Get help from your school by talking to your career adviser about how to link into the industry, the courses available, and how to get work experience.
An SBAT is a big help in exploring the industry and getting some skills and work experience. It gives you some valuable insights into life after school.
It's a small commitment, and you need to be organised, but working one day a week will give you some knowledge and experience and help you choose what you want to do after school.
Your confidence will grow with experience and by putting yourself out there. Just do your best and keep pushing forward.
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What are you success tips for SBTs?
- Time - It’s precious, so use it wisely. I like to procrastinate, but I try my best not to.
- Commitment - You'll do better if you dedicate yourself to your studies.
- Organisation - Use a study plan to stay on track. It’s helped me.
- Connect - Reach out to your teachers. I've found they want to help you to do your best.
- Belief - Be confident in your skills and abilities.
- Care - The HSC year can be stressful, so look after yourself.
What's your most exciting career achievement so far?
I was nominated for the NSW Regional Training Awards, which was exciting!
It’s the first time I’ve received such recognition before, and it boosted my confidence and opened new opportunities. It felt amazing to be acknowledged by the training awards committee, and attending the event was an unforgettable experience.
The awards ceremony was the first event I’ve been to where people dressed so formally. I wasn't sure if I'd be the only female there, but there were many others.
Looking down from the stage at everyone and seeing them cheering me on with big smiles on their faces made me feel very proud. When my mum started crying, I realised it was a big moment for my family and those who nominated me, too.
It was nerve-wracking but an excellent experience and something terrific to put on my résumé.
After I complete my HSC and leave school, I plan to continue my apprenticeship full-time, hopefully with my current employer.
I aim to remain in the construction industry for as long as possible.
A certificate three-level course is an apprenticeship requirement, so that’s a given. Further studies, like university, I haven't rubbed off my list.
At some stage, my dad and I may work together. We have discussed the idea. When the time is right, we could start a company together, focusing on renovations, small builds, and even building and selling houses.
I’ve worked with Dad on small-scale home projects. We’ve always been close, and he’s a great source of support and inspiration. He is skilled, teaches well, and is easy to work with.