11 Feb 2021
Australian School-based Apprenticeships (ASbAs) offer students the opportunity to build a career path they’re passionate about by developing relevant experience, skills, and qualifications as part of their education program.
For Tahliah, it was a Year 10 woodwork class that got her seriously considering a career in the trades.
“I was always interested in doing a trade because I’ve never been your typical girly girl, but it was when I was doing woodwork that I realised how much I loved it. I thought- man - I really want to be a chippy, I want to build houses!” Tahliah said.
As she moved into college, Tahliah pursued carpentry work outside of school hours with the help of the school careers counsellor, before coming across the Australian Training Company’s (ATC) Future Trades Women Program.
The program is delivered as an ASbA through CIT, which sees students complete a two-week pre-employment theory and practical program to learn important on the job skills, such as manual handling, how to use power tools and equipment to build their own toolbox.
This is followed by 5 rotations between different trades placements, while receiving regular on the job mentoring from the ATC. All the while, the students would continue to work towards their Year 12 certificate at college.
Tahliah thought it was the perfect fit for her ambitions.
“It was a great opportunity. I could try 5 different trades of my choice and see what I liked best. I would still get my Year 12 certificate and have a qualification by 22,” Tahliah said.
Although she felt nervous about starting in an unfamiliar workplace by herself, she went ahead and began her first placement in cabinet making before moving to carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and civil works.
Tahliah faced some challenges with moving into a predominantly male industry, but she was confident that she’d be able to handle herself in the workplace and over the course of the year, grew and came out of her shell.
Each of her placements presented a new and unique learning experience but she particularly enjoyed her plumbing placement, so approached her boss about the possibility of commencing a full-time apprenticeship with the company once she’d graduated from college.
“From the first day of my plumbing placement I felt so welcomed, everyone was nice, and my boss was amazing. I had the opportunity to learn all sorts of aspects about the job. After just four weeks, I could see myself working there full time,” Tahliah said.
Tahliah acknowledges her support system, her mum, aunt, and her school careers counsellor, for their continuous support in helping her to achieve her goals.
“My mum and aunty pushed me to do what I wanted to do, they helped me all the way through it and I cannot thank them enough,” Tahliah said.
The best advice that she has for other girls looking to move into trades is to reach out when you need help.
“A lot of girls I know want to go into the trades, but they’re scared to, which I think is very sad.”
“It’s one of the hardest lessons to learn, especially as a shy girl, but if someone’s treating you badly in the workplace, you’ve got to talk to someone about it.”
As she finished her final placement in civil construction, she got exciting news, she had been accepted as a full-time apprentice with the plumbing company from her placement, where she will be commencing in 2021.
Now that she’s finished with Year 12, Tahliah’s ready to start the next step of her journey.
She’s immensely proud of her achievements and couldn’t be more excited for what’s to come, knowing that she’s moving into a career that’s right for her.