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 I picked a school-based traineeship because I thought it would be the best fit for me. You’re getting the work experience but you’re also getting to do a cert too.’
School-based apprenticeships allow secondary school students to gain experience on the job by working for an employer, while simultaneously working towards a recognised qualification.
Taya’s school in South Hedland offered a variety of different fields for school-based apprenticeships from maritime to automotive, rail and infrastructure as well as some health-based traineeships. Although interested in career opportunities in construction, Taya wasn’t initially looking for a career in rail.
‘Rail was actually my third choice but I’m so happy I got in. I had originally looked at maritime but I’m happy I didn’t get into that because I get seasick!’
Both Taya’s parents work in the rail industry as train drivers, although initially her dad was hesitant about Taya working in such a male-dominated environment.
‘Me being 15 and going onto the BHP site was a very big thing - the first day I walked in there were no women on the crew that day. But the guys took to me like I was their own daughter. They were all really welcoming, and treated me like I was their own.”
The best thing about Resources construction
‘The people,’ Taya says without hesitation. ‘The crews are really welcoming. Every site I’ve been out to has been the same, welcoming and friendly. You hear stories about different places, but everywhere I’ve been to has been great.’
What was Taya’s pathway?
‘In the middle of Year 10, I started applying to employers. I was doing the VET (Vocational Education and Training) program and I signed up to a school-based traineeship because I thought it would be the best fit for me. There were a few different options of what SBTs they offer, and you choose your top three. Then you sit down with the VET teacher and some of the employers. They talk to you and decide what they think would be best for you.
‘I got rail and BHP became my host employer, through Category 5 [a labour recruitment and safety management company]. Alongside the SBT, you also do a certification. I did cert 2 in rail and infrastructure. For Years 11 and 12, you go to school four days a week and then SBT on the other day.’
Employment over university
The hands-on training confirmed to Taya that her path into a career in construction will be through working, rather than through university. ‘I really enjoy working. University wasn’t going to be for me. It’s an extra four years of school. I think I’d hate sitting still!’
Taya’s relevant skillset
‘I wasn’t the best at school,’ Taya says. ‘I was really good at some things like Maths, but I wasn’t strong in Science and English. To do an SBT, you only had to do English and Maths; we could pick any other classes that we wanted; they didn’t have to connect directly to the SBT. I picked Business, Cooking and Outdoor Education and I was lucky enough to get into something I really liked and excelled at. There’s nothing I would have done differently.’
Making connections along the way
‘Category 5 were my employers and they really took care of us. My supervisor Simone was amazing; she watched over us, and if we had any problems we could always go to her.’
On the job
‘Every day varied because I moved to different locations,’ Taya says. ‘One day, I’d be with the track maintenance team, maintaining the tracks, which was very quick-paced. You get your time slots of where you have to be. You wait for the time and then you have to jump on and smash it out. That was good. Another area I worked out of was welding and grinding when the rail had to be replaced. I liked being hands on. That was a lot easier to learn because it was repetitive.’
The pace of work obviously suits Taya, as her skill and dedication saw her nominated as a finalist for School-Based Apprentice of the Year at this year’s WA’s Training Awards, sponsored by CTF.
‘It was really exciting,’ Taya smiles. ‘I never thought I’d get that far into it. This is something I really enjoy, and want to go into in the future. BHP releases apprenticeships every year that are targeted towards students graduating from high school. I’ve already applied; I’m waiting to hear.’
We wish Taya the best of luck. If you’re interested in a career in construction, contact CTF to learn about pathways into the industry. There are a number of pathways and school-based traineeships available, as well as other routes and financial support.
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