Personalise my view
From drilling rigs to plumbing: Riddick’s career change
For four and a half years, Riddick Staunton worked on offshore drilling rigs around the world, spending long stretches in the middle of the ocean before returning home for extended breaks between swings. For some, that downtime is a chance to rest - but for Riddick, it became a turning point.
“When I did a month on, month off, I got bored. All your mates are working so it’s like what do you do?” said Riddick.
“So, I used to just work for my uncle who’s a builder.”
What started as a way to fill time became a new career direction.
Despite growing up in a family dominated by carpenters, Riddick chose to go against the grain and pursue plumbing.
“I have a lot of carpenters in my family, so less competition being a plumber," he laughed.
Now enrolled in a Certificate III in Plumbing (CPC32420), Riddick is right in the thick of his apprenticeship, gaining hands-on experience and working on major projects.
“We do big commercial high rises… Some are pretty flash,” explained Riddick.
It’s a world away from life offshore.
And he’s not slowing down.
Keen to build momentum, he’s already looking ahead to a 15-month Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services (CPC40920).
“The teachers are pretty great, they’re really knowledgeable,” he said.
Ultimately, Riddick hopes to go into business with his brother, an electrician, on the Gold Coast.
“My brother is a sparkie, so I want to do a 24/7 emergency call out with sparkie and plumbing,” said Riddick.
“Do things people don’t want to do after hours – big jobs, small jobs.”
So if a pipe bursts at 2 o’clock in the morning?
“I’ll be there! That’s what I want to do,” he grinned.