We are closed Friday 29 March and Monday 1 April to observe the public holidays over Easter. We will be reopening on Tuesday 2 April.  For your campus opening hours please check our locations page.

Personalise my view
Personalise my view

😊 Personalise my view

We use cookies, including those from third-party providers, to enhance your online experience and deliver personalised advertisements. By using our website, you consent to our use of cookies and our privacy policy

Young mum gets her hands dirty breaking stereotypes

In a traditionally male-dominated industry where females make up only one per cent of the workforce, Emily Smith is looking forward to breaking the mould as she pursues her dream job of becoming a diesel technician.

In a traditionally male-dominated industry where females make up only one per cent of the workforce, Emily Smith is looking forward to breaking the mould as she pursues her dream job of becoming a diesel technician.

At just 22, the young mother of two juggled family life and studies as she studied a Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation (AUR20716) at TAFE Queensland’s Acacia Ridge campus.

Emily said that pursuing a career in a male dominated industry was a bit nerve-racking at first but everyone at TAFE Queensland from her teachers to her fellow students have been really supportive.

“The teachers really try to help you out and pass on as much knowledge as they can. They make a good day go a lot quicker and it was so much fun,” Emily said.

“They don’t try to stand over the top of you just because you’re a female. They ask politely if you want to have a crack at something or not and they are always there if you need help,” she said.

The heavy automotive sector was however, not Emily’s initial career path having previously been enrolled to study beauty therapy at a local hair and beauty college. Emily said that she had been encouraged to pursue a career in beauty by her family who believed girls should work in jobs more suited for females.

“I was just a stay-at-home mum before I signed up to study beauty. Three days before I was meant to start I received an email stating what was required from me,” Emily said.

“My hair had to be tied up in a tight bun and I needed to wear a face full of makeup which included bright red lipstick; I realised then that studying beauty was definitely not the right career choice for me.”

“It was my partner who actually noticed how much I enjoyed working on my car and he suggested that I look into studying a short course to see if it was the right career path for me,” she said.

The Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation turned out to be the perfect course for Emily as it’s designed to prepare students for a career in the light and heavy automotive sector by teaching the basic skills and knowledge needed to pursue an automotive or mechanical apprenticeship.

“It was all very interesting from tyre changes to pulling out engine gear boxes. I’ve definitely gained more skills coming to TAFE than what I thought I would in the ten-week course,” Emily said.

“I think we were all a bit upset when the course ended, it was so much fun,” she said.

The course also included real-world work experience which Emily completed at Brown and Hurley, one of Australia’s leading truck and agricultural dealers where she is now hoping to secure an apprenticeship.

“The work experience that I have completed at Brown and Hurley has been awesome. I absolutely loved it there and I’ve now gone back to do some more work experience whilst I apply for a diesel mechanic apprenticeship with them,” Emily said.

Transitioning from a fulltime stay at home mum to studying and re-entering the workforce has been no easy feat and is an accomplishment that Emily is proud of.

“I’d get up at 4.30am every morning and probably didn’t sit down till maybe 10 pm. My daughter was even teething at that stage so some days I was up all night with her but I still got up the next morning to come into TAFE,” Emily said.

Fortunately for Emily she was able to access the Australian Government’s JobTrainer subsidy which provides Fee-Free training for eligible Australians.

“The JobTrainer initiative really gave me the chance to be able to do the course. We can barely afford to pay for fuel, tolls, day care and general bills so it definitely made it a lot easier and was extremely helpful,” Emily said.

For more information about TAFE Queensland trade courses, call 1300 308 233 or visit the TAFE Queensland website, and see where TAFE can take you.