Making money and making waves

“I like to push myself to the same level as everyone else”

Finding ways to make it work

Alyssa Baker - 2nd Year Certificate III Mobile Plant Apprentice, Hosted at Linde Material Handling - Huntingwood NSW

Working in a male-dominated trade can be daunting for some women, but Alyssa Baker doesn’t see it that way. “I like to push myself to the same level as everyone else. There are certain jobs that are too heavy or too high, but I always find a way around it. Being in a male-dominated workplace is really just somewhere to have a good laugh and help each other. I feel included as one of the team.” 

After enjoying an Automotive TVET course, Alyssa decided to pursue a hands-on approach to her career. “I found it helped me concentrate when I was working with my hands, so I left school and started my automotive electrical apprenticeship.”

Things don’t always go as planned

When a knee injury made it hard for Alyssa to continue her apprenticeship in Automotive Electrical Technology, she switched to Mobile Plant Technology, where she is currently doing her second year at Linde Material Handling–Huntingwood NSW. 

Apprenticeship means not choosing between education and income

Being paid to learn is also a huge benefit to working in the VET industry, she says. Instead of paying for university, “I get to earn while learning. Being an apprentice means 95% hands on experience and 5% of theory, which is perfect for my style of learning. Because I’m a visual learner, it means when I’ve finished my apprenticeship I already have the hands-on skills, instead of a beginner putting theory into the real world.”

Never settle

Alyssa hopes to finish her Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology once she has completed her Certificate III in Mobile Plant Technology.