Reboot program gives Elly a second chance at plumbing career with TAFE Queensland

Through the Reboot Your Trade Training program, delivered by TAFE Queensland, third year plumbing apprentice Elly, has found success with her apprenticeship recommencement after receiving program support.

The project provides personalised support and funded flexible training to eligible electrical, plumbing, construction, engineering, refrigeration, light automotive and heavy automotive apprentices with cancelled apprenticeship contracts, within the last 36 months and links them with new employers.

Elly’s plumbing apprenticeship journey began after an admin role at a major plumbing supplier left her wanting to upskill herself in the industry, just like her work mates.

“I was hearing all the stories that the boys would come in and say, and I thought to myself, that if the boys can do it, I can too. So, I found an employer and started my apprenticeship journey with TAFE Queensland,” Elly said.

Through her apprenticeship training journey with TAFE Queensland, Elly was faced with limited learning opportunities at her employment due to the wide variety of plumbing streams offered within the industry.

Upon leaving her employment she remarked, “I felt like I wanted to learn more about all the plumbing specialities, rather than focussing on just that one area, so when I achieve my dream of running my own business, I have a variety of plumbing expertise”.

While finishing her current block of training under her previous employment, her educator mentioned the Reboot Your Trade program. After enquiring through the TAFE Queensland website, Elly was contacted to set up a meeting with project facilitators to determine her tailored program.

“The program team provided me with support by checking in on me, assessing my training journey and asking me questions for my future. It wasn't a system where you just sign up and get left in the dust. It was a, ‘we're actually going to look after you’, approach so I had a really good experience with it. I was also connected to supportive groups for women in trades and mentorship programs”.

Elly’s worries about falling behind in her training were answered within her customised program.

“I was worried my training would be pushed back because it gets put on hold between employments, so you miss out on a lot of training that you must go back and catch up on later. With this program, I was able to do the next block, so I wasn’t missing out, and with my new employment I can continue my training with no delays.

“When we were talking about my personalised program delivery, it was really flexible and they said they'll figure out what works best for me, either in a block delivery or an afternoon drop-in day. They took what I wanted into a being part of sorting things out, which was really good. Within three weeks from when I actually had the face-to-face meeting, I was back into a training block,” Elly said.

Elly’s experience has been reflective of the inclusive environment TAFE Queensland prides itself on.

“As a female, on the job site it can be sometimes feel like you can’t really go outside and feel comfortable. This is a big thing for me. But at TAFE Queensland, you have that comfortability where you know there's dedicated facilities for you.

“As a female on campus, I don't feel singled out, whereas sometimes on job sites they are like, oh my god, it's a girl. And they have to change how they talk or you get stared at. I feel like the training environment opens everyone's eyes and they see like, this is getting normal guys,” Elly said.

Elly’s training experience at TAFE Queensland and in the Reboot Your Trade Training program has put Elly’s apprenticeship training journey back on the books ensuring that she full-fills her dreams of running her own plumbing business.

Elly’s experience at TAFE Queensland, along with her participation in the Reboot program, has reignited her apprenticeship journey and brought her dreams back to life. With renewed confidence and support, she is now firmly back on track with her apprenticeship training, working towards her goal of one day running her own plumbing business – something she has always been passionate about.

“At my previous employment, I was sort of just thrown in and they just expected me to know things. Whereas at TAFE Queensland, the trainers take their time teaching you, encourage questions, and show you a different way of learning so that you understand, and it makes you not feel stupid. They encourage the learning opportunities,” Elly concluded.

The Reboot Your Trade Training program aims to re-engage cancelled Queensland apprentices in their training pathways, maintaining a strong pipeline of skilled workers in priority trades that play a critical role in powering our state’s economy for years to come.

Improved Completions is a joint initiative between the Australian Government and Queensland Government.

Places are limited, and eligibility rules apply. For more information visit tafeqld.edu.au/reboot or call 1300 308 233 today.