Industry News

28-year-old apprentice carpenter Andrew Sims didn’t come straight into the construction industry. Instead, he started a paramedical science degree at university, then considered joining the army. It was a suggestion from his sister, an architect, that propelled him into the construction industry. Now, as he approaches the completion of his apprenticeship, he shares his story with us.  From university to a mature age apprenticeship in carpentry “I did university for one year but I failed a unit in my second […]

21-year-old electrical apprentice Raya Hukin’s career nearly took a very different path. After starting a university degree, Raya knew three months in that her heart – and her skillset – lay with the tools, and she started an electrical apprenticeship instead.  From university degree to an apprenticeship “I worked in hospitality after I finished school. I always loved being hands on, but I thought I needed to do something different so I did a bridging course to get into uni,” […]

22-year-old wall and ceiling liner, Cody Outen, won the Apprentice of the Year award from the Association of Wall and Ceiling Industries (ACWI) two years in a row (2022 and 2023). He was also named their 2024 Apprentice Challenge winner. But it’s not just a trophy chest full of silverware that makes him passionate about his job.  Life as a wall and ceiling liner “It’s the foundation of everything,” he explains. “Whoever hangs the ceiling, it needs to be done […]

Building company owner, registered builder and carpenter Ashleigh Hiemstra, who was last year crowned Tradeswoman of the Year at the HIA Awards, shares her journey into the construction industry and why it was starting a family that gave her the push to go out on her own. Becoming a builder “I made the choice to take [my company] Merge Building further after the birth of my son,” Ashleigh says. “I liked that working for myself meant I had the flexibility […]

24-year-old roof plumber, Sam Carter, began his career in construction as a roof plumber by doing “little jobs” for his dad. Nominated for the Emerging Youth Award at the Heritage Awards, Sam shares his pathway into the construction industry and offers some advice for those looking at starting out in the industry as a heritage roofer. How Sam began working as a heritage roofer “I was desperate to get out of the classroom,” laughs Sam. “I’m more of a hands-on […]

22-year-old carpenter, Rabia Choolun, who won WA’s prestigious pre-apprenticeship of the year award, before going on to take out a gold medal at WorldSkills for carpentry and joinery in 2022, shares her journey into construction and explains why working as a carpenter ticks all her boxes for fulfilment and work-life balance.  Becoming a carpenter It was Rabia’s stepdad, a handyman who spent his spare time during renovations that fired up her interest in carpentry.  “He always told me that a […]

21 year-old Jermaine Pickett, a talented AFL footballer who combines working in traffic control with playing in the WAFL for South Fremantle, talks about how his work in traffic control gives him the support and security to follow his dreams of playing in the AFL.  Jermaine took his first steps towards construction by completing a Certificate II in Engineering through a school-based apprenticeship. While he looked into going on to complete an apprenticeship and getting into the industry that way, […]

WA Premier Hon. Roger Cook has announced an additional 175 places are being added to the Group Training Organisation (GTO) Wage Subsidy Program, with a $21.6 million investment aimed at creating more pathways for Western Australians to pursue building and construction apprenticeships, allowing them to earn as they learn on the job. This expansion, funded through the Construction Training Fund, empowers GTOs to offer even more opportunities for Western Australians to complete apprenticeships or traineeships. With this increase in funding, […]

17 year-old Taya Sawtell, who was a finalist for School-Based Apprentice of the Year at WA’s Training Awards in October, explains why a school-based apprenticeship (SBT) and traineeship  in resources construction appealed to her, how her career in construction has begun and what her working days look like.  Choosing a construction career in the Resources sector  ‘I’m a real hands-on person; I like labour and I hate sitting still,’ Taya explains. ‘I have to be touching or learning something, so […]