Page 25 - Climate Control News Magazine June 2022

NextGen 2022
WANTED: 300NEW TRAINEES
The Victorian government is delivering 300 new building and construction sector apprenticeships and traineeships across Victoria by mid-2023.
Through Jobs Victoria, 300 Victorians will have the opportunity to undertake on-the-job training as part of the government’s Big Build and major infrastructure projects.
Career opportunities range from plumbing, electrical and mechanical engineering to work health and safety, project management and more.
With an ‘earn and learn’ model, recruits can start working and earn an income from day one while training to build their skills for a new career – gaining an accredited qualification through TAFE or other registered training organisations.
Women and people from diverse backgrounds will play a key role in addressing skilled labour shortages.
Nadia Conte, 30, is one of those recruits currently undertaking a Certificate III in Carpentry while working on the Victorian Heart Hospital in Clayton.
Nadia was always tinkering with her dad’s tools as a child, making projects in the backyard and so leapt at the opportunity to undertake a carpentry apprenticeship and break down stereotypes in the construction industry.
Sarah McDonald is another example of a woman who became a tradie. Sarah decided to try a trade, and within two days of completing work experience, she was enrolled in a course on electrotechnology.
Sarah admits it has been a challenge. She has had to study extra hard to excel and learn mathematics. She also had to make an effort to slowly break through the barriers with her male classmates.
The two-year program is being delivered by Apprenticeships Victoria and the Apprenticeship Employment Network.
Sarah McDonald was a Women in Trades award winner last year.
From brazing copper to analysing data, there is a lot to learn to become a technician.
trade by a close relative who was already work- ing in the industry in a sales role.
“He helped me with my application and knew that it was something that would interest me,” she said. “I love fixing things.”
The 19 year-old grew up around tools as her father is an automotive mechanic and in his spare time restores old vehicles.
“As soon as I finished school I worked with my cousin. He has his own maintenance and handy- man business,”Holly said.
“He didn’t have enough work for me during the pandemic so I ended up doing construction work until I got my apprenticeship.”
Sydney-based technician, Matthew Stewart, has just embarked on a whole new phase of his career in refrigeration and air conditioning.
The 24 year-old technician has been working in the trade since leaving school.
“When I left school I knew I didn’t want to be a plumber and I did want to do a bit of electrical work so this trade was a good fit,” Matthew said. “Also I knew people already working in the in- dustry so I was able to find out about it.”
Matthew has worked for a couple of employers since leaving school but just over a month ago decided to set up his own business.
Known as Climate Care Air Conditioning Ser- vices, Matthew said it has been a big change but a good one. “I wanted to see what I could do on my own,” he said.
Mitch Wells is a 21-year-old technician from South Australia who ended up in the trade by ac- cident. He had his sights set on a trade but didn’t know which one.
While undertaking work experience with elec- tricians he came across refrigeration and air conditioning technicians at the same workplace.
“Their work looked a lot more interesting than the work we were doing,” Mitch said.
“The more I talked to the technicians the more interested I was in the trade.”
Mitch soon began applying for apprentice- ships in refrigeration and air conditioning and landed a job.
“I finished my apprenticeship this year and immediately decided to become a contractor,” he said. Mitch is planning further study to be a business owner before opening the doors of his very own business.
“MY OLDER BROTHER IS ALSO DOING AN APPRENTICESHIP SO I KNEW WHAT TO EXPECT.”
Aedan Whyte became a chiller technician by default. “I had applied for a pre-apprentice plumbing course at TAFE but there were no plac- es left so a family friend suggested refrigeration and air conditioning,” he said.
“When I was in high school I didn’t even know this trade existed and initially I thought it was just some kind of handyman job.”
Today the 22 year old is glad he discovered such a great trade, even though it was by acci- dent. “This trade definitely needs a higher profile because it is such a great job, it is a mix of all trades,” he said.
“I enjoy fabrication, pipe work, fixing a leak, just being able to fix a problem on the spot.” Ae- dan has completed his apprenticeship and is currently employed at Airvision in Western Australia.
CLIMATE CONTROL NEWS
JUNE 2022
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