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 trade would be a great career choice, especially if I loved it," Rabia remembers.
"I was always keen to help him with renovations and I really enjoyed the hands-on work. That's when I knew this was the career I wanted."
Rabia initially dreamed of becoming an architect when she first came to Australia from Mauritius in 2016. But watching her stepdad at work, as well as discovering a love of working with her hands at school, convinced her a career in carpentry was what she wanted.
The pathway to becoming a carpenter
Rabia began a pre-apprenticeship with South Regional Tafe, completing her Certificate III in Carpentry and Joinery with SR Tafe. In her first year alone, she won the Pre-apprentice of the Year Award, and went on to be offered a carpentry apprenticeship with Karamfiles Builders, one of the leading building companies in Manjimup and the South West.
It was at this point she was selected to compete in the WorldSkills competition, where she took out a gold medal in the regional round. Two years on, she’s put the skills and knowledge she gained to good use and is now a qualified carpenter, working full time. And she hasn’t lost her passion for carpentry.
"I love being a carpenter because every day is different," Rabia says. "There's always something new to work on, and I get to see the results of my hard work. Whether it's renovating a house or building something from scratch, it's really satisfying."
"I love using power tools to renovate houses, build new spaces and even fix up furniture. One project I'm particularly proud of was a laundry renovation I did. From demolishing the old space to installing new cupboards and hanging the doors, it was such a great feeling to see the finished product and think, 'I did that.'"
The best thing about becoming a carpenter
“I have the flexibility to plan my work wisely and allow enough time for breaks between jobs. That way, I'm not overworked and I can recharge and spend time doing things I enjoy outside of work.”
Becoming a carpenter also has financial benefits.
"The financial side of being a carpenter is a nice bonus," Rabia says. "I can pay my bills comfortably and save for bigger goals like a new car or a home loan. And with experience, the earning potential grows. You can also start your own business, which is something a lot of people in the industry do."
And unlike some other roles, these financial incentives start immediately rather than further up the job path, enabling more people to access careers in carpentry and joinery.
"CTF offers a tool allowance to apprentices, which is a big boost when you're starting out. Plus, it offers a support payment to apprentices, making it much easier to get going in your trade."
CTF offers different forms of support for apprentices and trainees looking to get into the construction industry, as well as subsidising job training and upskilling for apprentices and trainees looking to broaden their skill sets through short courses and other training offered by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
Looking for a career in the construction industry?
So would Rabia recommend becoming an apprentice carpenter to those interested in a career in construction but not sure if it’s for them?
Definitely. "The industry is rewarding and it challenges you to do things you never thought you would.”
"Construction offers so many different career paths. It's not all heavy lifting; you can specialise in everything from building homes to renovations, to design and project management. It's a versatile industry. From project management to specialised trades, there's a wide range of roles, many of which pay extremely well.”
Average salary aside, how does Rabia find being a woman in a male-dominated industry?
"It's never been an issue,” she says. “In fact, I think it's a great opportunity to prove that women can do anything men can do."
Rabia is keen to change people's perceptions of what a carpenter looks like. "The more women we have, the more we can encourage others to follow suit.”
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.
Last modified on: