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Winter 2016 energysafe issue 44
13
“ My favourite part was my foreman giving me the push to take control of a job , which is not about getting thrown into a situation , it ’ s all about having the confidence .”
It ’ s a quality Ashley has developed on her journey from her pre-apprenticeship days through to qualifying as an electrician , and working for an electrical contractor on the new Epworth Hospital in Geelong .
“ It was a big build with over 700 tradespeople on site and I was surprised with how well everyone got along , there was a real comradery ,” she said .
“ There were multiple different trades all working together and I think I was surprised how well everyone got along and everything was aligned so well .”
While being used to working with other female tradies , including two at her current employer and others during her apprenticeship , Ashley said at the Epworth site , it was interesting when other workers were interested in learning why she chose to be an electrician .
“ It was such a big building site and I was surprised with how much people wanted to speak with me about my story , about being a female apprentice , and then when they find out we have twin daughters , how you balance your life ,” she said .
“ Because for me my life seems completely normal .”
Ashley said apart from her early difficulty in securing an apprenticeship , she ’ s been treated very well in the profession .
“ My experiences as a female tradie to date has been very positive ,” she said .
Around five months into her training , Ashley and her fiancé , Nick , now a fourth-year electrical apprentice , found out they were to be parents , so she took a year off her course after the birth of her daughters . The pair who met playing hockey seven years ago , happily juggle
Determined : Ashley accepting her Apprentice of the Year ( Commercial / Domestic ) award at the recent NECA Apprentice Awards in Melbourne .
family life with work and study and plan to marry in November .
“ Nick and I have been together since I was 20 and he proposed to me in Paris on the top of the Eiffel tower ,” she said .
“ So we came back and our journey started and now we are in the same profession as he wanted a change of career .”
On her return from maternity leave , Ashley changed firms and moved into working in the commercial electrical area .
“ I was at the Epworth from March 2015 until June 2016 , in charge of all the wiring for the new pathology unit ,” she said .
“ I enjoy the freedom and the lifestyle and not being cooped up inside all day , while I still have my boss , but I do my work and report back , so you have a bit more freedom .”
Ashley said it ’ s a privilege to have clients trust in her professional skills .
“ The thought that if I make a mistake it could potentially harm someone else keeps me focused in doing my job ,” she said .
“ Clients don ’ t know the fundamentals , but they do know electricity is hazardous and they rely on you , so I always aim to do a good job .”
Ashley credits her parents for instilling in her a can-do attitude .
“ I ’ m the first girl in my family to do a trade and my mum loves the fact I ’ m an electrician ,” she said .
“ She ’ s the most the proud , she talks me up like I ’ m a doctor .”
Ashley said she ’ s already planning the next stage of her electrical career .
“ Being an electrician is really great , but even though I love the 7am starts and the 3.30pm finishes , I realise I can ’ t be on the tools for ever ,” she said .
Looking back on the past 12 months , Ashley said it ’ s been a time of change and excitement . “ As of last year I did not know this award existed , but in the way everything is moving it ’ s made me think about the future more ,” she said .
“ It ’ s empowering and I feel like new doors can open , I don ’ t know to what , but I believe in being open to opportunities , putting my head down and my thinking cap on .”