Powering career choices

Guinny Nunes has gone from one extreme to the other. After completing her secondary schooling at an all-girls school, she is now working as an electrical apprentice in an all-male team in a heavily male-dominated trade.

“It’s very different to where I’ve come from. I went to an all-girls catholic school and came straight out of high school. Now I'm the only girl tradie on my team at work. So, it's very different. But I'm lucky, I’ve got a good, supportive team and it’s a good opportunity for me,” said Guinny.

After deciding not to pursue university studies and having no trade experience whatsoever, Guinny made the leap to study electrotechnology at Federation TAFE undertaking Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start), a 16-week pre-vocational course designed as an introduction to an electrical or electronics field and providing foundation knowledge and skills to kick start a career in electrical.

“In high school I really liked math and getting hands on with things. I didn't want to go to university  so after talking with friends and people in trades, I thought I'd try out electrical. I did the pre-apprenticeship course first to give things a go and from there my employer contacted Federation TAFE to ask about an apprentice,” said Guinny.

Guinny is enthusiastic about the benefits of studying the pre-apprenticeship course which is part of the Free TAFE program.

“If you’re just out of high school like I was, the pre-app is definitely the way to go. Everyone's in the same boat and the teachers treat everyone exactly the same, even if you don't know anything about trades which I didn’t! So even if there are people in the class who used to be chippies or whatever, they teach everybody from the very first step which I really liked. I just felt so welcome.”

“I found the teaching really supportive. They were really great with helping you be prepared and get a job, even if you were struggling with your work at times. Throughout the apprenticeship too, the teachers and trainers just want you to do the best you can. And so long as you are putting in the effort, you'll get a good result.

After completing the pre-vocational course, Guinny began studying the Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician while completing a four-year apprenticeship with Sovereign Hill, putting her well on her way to a qualification that will allow her to work in domestic, industrial, and commercial settings, and meaning she can apply for an A Grade Electrical Licence through an approved Energy Safe Victoria examination process.

With electricians paid higher than average weekly full-time wages and a high number of job openings expected over the next five years, according to the Department of Employment, Guinny urges girls in high school to consider taking up the trade.

“It can seem daunting. I grew up without a background in trade, but that doesn't mean you can't be a tradie. If you have even the slightest interest, think about doing a VET subject so you can explore the idea.”

“In my experience women are at an advantage as they have better communication skills in the workplace and more of an eye for detail. Sometimes boys have said, ‘Oh, you are just getting special treatment because you're a girl,’ but it’s actually because I’m a good electrician and I’m recognised for my skills, not just because I’m a girl.”