A Telarah apprentice who left school unsure of what career to pursue is now using her carpentry skills to improve homes across the Hunter.
Tabitha O’Neill began working as a traffic controller and labourer after completing her HSC, before discovering an interest in hands-on work and enrolling in a carpentry apprenticeship at TAFE NSW Maitland.
The move has led to a career refurbishing homes and retirement villages across the region.
“When I finished my HSC, I had no idea what I wanted to do so I picked up work as a traffic controller and labourer to see what a hands-on career would be like,” Ms O’Neill said.
“This inspired me to enrol at TAFE NSW Maitland as a carpentry apprentice where I learnt a range of practical skills and sparked a passion for helping others.
“Refurbishing houses and retirement villages, I’m able to use my skills to make people’s homes more comfortable, which gives me a lot of job satisfaction.”
Her story is being highlighted as part of National Skills Week, which runs from 24 to 30 August and aims to showcase vocational education and training pathways.
Demand for skilled workers remains high, with 82 per cent of Australian businesses reporting skills shortages last year.
Construction is also one of NSW’s largest industries, with significant employment growth forecast nationally in coming years.
For Ms O’Neill, the opportunity to learn practical skills close to home has provided a pathway into an industry she had not considered when leaving school.
TAFE NSW says vocational training is increasingly providing an alternative pathway for school leavers, career changers and workers looking to gain new skills.
Jobs and Skills Australia data shows 88 per cent of vocational education and training graduates are employed after completing their qualification, with median incomes increasing by $14,100 in the year following completion.
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