Success Stories

Engineering a Career in a Man's World Holly Rasmussen - Icon Equipment Fuelled by a mix of determination and enthusiasm, apprentice mechanical engineer Holly Rasmussen is beating the odds. Icon Equipment, Managing Director, David Perryman said female mechanical engineers were a rare breed and Holly was pioneering a successful career in the male dominated trade.

“It’s all about attitude and Holly’s got the right attitude to succeed in this industry. “I wish I could have two or three more apprentices like Holly,” Mr Perryman said. Holly said she loves what she does and is thankful that Icon Equipment gave her a go. “I love a challenge and I’m determined to prove that I’m the best mechanical engineering apprentice that I can be, Holly said. Mr Mark Berlese, General Manager of Sarina Russo Apprenticeship Services said Holly is a great role model for women who want to enter traditionally male-dominated skilled trades.

“Holly is fortunate she has a boss who understands the need to create a learning environment where Holly is treated as a learner, as well as worker.  “If employers want employees who are better educated and more aware, they need to contribute to their learning. “The apprenticeship system is an effective vehicle for work based learning which gives people an opportunity to do real work and receive real pay while undertaking relevant training which takes them another step along the route of their chosen career. “Employers are now looking for ways to attract and retain bright, reliable and motivated people within their businesses to meet their skill demands.  They realise that to ensure the quality and quantity of tradespeople they need to employ Australian Apprentices and grow their own skilled workforce.

"Sarina Russo Apprenticeship Service's priority is to educate employers about the need for apprentices to complete their training. It is crucial to their business and basic numeracy. “Apprentices also have to be educated not to stop their apprenticeship for the lure of short-term, full-time money because the benefits of completing their trade will put them in a more advantageous position in the long-term,” Mr Berlese said.

"Not only is she working in a male dominated trade but she has also successfully overcome a hearing impairment to get where she wants to be. “It’s all about attitude and Mandy’s got the right attitude to succeed in this industry,” Mr Sharp said. Mandy said she loves what she does and is thankful that Sharp Welding gave her a go. “I love a challenge and I’m determined to prove that I’m the best boilermaker apprentice that I can be, Mandy said. Mr Kevin Jarick , General Manager of Sarina Russo Apprenticeship Services said Mandy is a great role model for women who want to enter traditionally male-dominated skilled trades.

"Mandy is fortunate she has a boss who understands the need to create a learning environment where Mandy is treated as a learner, as well as worker.  “If employers want employees who are better educated and more aware, they need to contribute to their learning. “The apprenticeship system is an effective vehicle for work based learning which gives people an opportunity to do real work and receive real pay while undertaking relevant training which takes them another step along the route of their chosen career.

"Employers are now looking for ways to attract and retain bright, reliable and motivated people within their businesses to meet their skill demands. They realise that to ensure the quality and quantity of tradespeople they need to employ Australian Apprentices and grow their own skilled workforce. "SRAS’s priority is to educate employers about the need for apprentices to complete their training. It is crucial to their business and basic numeracy. "Apprentices also have to be educated not to stop their apprenticeship for the lure of short-term, full-time money because the benefits of completing their trade will put them in a more advantageous position in the long-term,” Mr Jarrick said.

Robert Goode, owner of Coral Coast Marine Constructions, said it is all about attitude and any apprentice needs the right attitude to succeed in this industry. "Local businesses are starting to realise that to ensure the quality and quantity of tradespeople you need to employ an Australian Apprentice and grow your own," Mr Goode said "New apprentice Hayden Goode is starting his marine craft construction apprenticeship and says he loves what he does and it is wonderful to follow in his father's footsteps as a boat builder. "I love a challenge and I'm determined to prove that I'm the best marine craft construction apprentice that I can be," Hayden said. Mr Kettle said the immediate demand, plus the expected long-term demand for skills provides tradespeople with employment sustainability and fantastic career opportunities.

"These days of 4% unemployment will not last forever and an apprenticeship gives you the options to branch out into other areas."We must persuade young people, their parents and teachers that an apprenticeship is a first rate career option and can be a stepping stone to owning your own business or progressing through to senior management positions."Employers like Coral Coast Marine Constructions must be commended because they understand the benefits of investing in training."Sarina Russo Apprenticeship Services is a free service to employers, apprentices and those wanting to undertake a trade."We help sign up new Australian Apprentices, pay employer incentives and Australian Apprenticeship allowances, assist with workplace training to completion and lodge of all the necessary paperwork," Mr Kettle said.