Apprentice travels road to success
Article from: GoAutoNews Premium
Determination marks a rewarding path through obstacles for Madeline Chamberlin.
By Neil Dowling on 2nd July 2024.
Owning a first car opens a new social environment and plenty of freedom. But for Madeline Chamberlin, an 80-Series LandCruiser triggered a career-defining turning point and opened a passion for automobiles.
Together with apprentice training firm WPC Group and employer LSH Auto, Ms Chamberlin has soared to being the recipient of numerous awards and becoming a role model for other female technicians.
Now a tradesperson after finishing her apprenticeship at LSH’s Mercedes-Benz Brisbane, she is working towards master technician status and from there, aims to expand her skills in electric vehicles.
Madeline Chamberlin’s journey is also an example of the aim of the Australian government’s current review of the Australian Apprenticeship Incentive System which provides financial support to apprentices, trainees and employers.
The system’s mandate is to encourage people to start an apprenticeship or traineeship and see it through to completion to ensure Australia has workers with the trade and technical skills needed by industry, providing secure, well-paid work and career advancement.
For Ms Chamberlin, the road to becoming a light-vehicle technician wasn’t initially clear cut.
“I wasn’t sure at school what I wanted to do, so I worked in the hospitality industry for a few years,” she told GoAutoNews Premium.
“I bought an 80-Series LandCruiser because I grew up driving along with my family. Unfortunately the car decided it didn’t want to participate a lot of the time, so I spent a lot of time trying to repair it because I couldn’t afford to take it to a mechanic.
“I really enjoyed the little jobs that I did on it and decided to take it further.”
Ms Chamberlin kicked off her career by completing a certificate at TAFE for automotive technician.
“The TAFE teachers passed my name along to WPC who then contacted me about an apprenticeship,” she said.
“I didn’t actually get an apprenticeship straightaway. I was offered a warehousing job with LSH on a 12-month contract and then two months in, they offered me an apprenticeship. I was then 24.”