Megan shares her experience working in a male dominated trade
Megan Chetcuti is a third-year apprentice Diesel Mechanic at Daimler Trucks, and successfully completed one of FutureGen Foundation’s (formally Skilling Australia Foundation) Citi New Recruits program where she gained the skills and confidence to attend interviews and commence an apprenticeship.
Finishing Year 12 in 2018 and like many, Megan was unsure of what she wanted to do once she completed her High School Certificate. With a passion for cars and a dad who works in the transport industry, Megan was able to obtain work experience with Daimler Trucks in Huntingwood, Sydney, where she still works today.
Megan’s WPC Group mentor Breanna Lear caught up with Megan to ask her about undertaking a VET course and working in an industry that is known for being male dominated.
What are the benefits of undertaking a trade in a male dominated area?
It’s a constant challenge to prove that I can do what all the male technicians can do, yet they’re always willing to teach me where they can.
What do you think the benefits are of working in the VET sector and undertaking an apprenticeship/traineeship instead of going to university?
Working in the VET sector teaches just as much to people as university would, however university is very expensive and you don’t get the same hands on experience consistently in university as you do in a VET trade.
What do you enjoy the most about working in your trade?
I enjoy being able to diagnose, repair and complete a job successfully as well as use my knowledge to help others.
What would you be doing if you weren’t undertaking a trade?
I would most likely be in the horse racing industry training and riding horses.
If you could someone looking to get into a trade some advice, what would it be?
Give everything a go, ask a lot of questions and be interested in what you’re doing, be confident and present yourself well.
Once you complete your apprenticeship/traineeship what do you hope to do? e.g. continue in the trade, study further.
I hope to complete my Certificate IV in Mechanics. I want to further my knowledge in specific products and hopefully one day become a foreman or work my way up in the transport industry.
Working in the VET sector teaches just as much to people as university would, however university is very expensive and you don’t get the same hands on experience consistently in university as you do in a VET trade.
What do you enjoy the most about working in your trade?
I enjoy being able to diagnose, repair and complete a job successfully as well as use my knowledge to help others.
What would you be doing if you weren’t undertaking a trade?
I would most likely be in the horse racing industry training and riding horses.
If you could someone looking to get into a trade some advice, what would it be?
Give everything a go, ask a lot of questions and be interested in what you’re doing, be confident and present yourself well.
Once you complete your apprenticeship/traineeship what do you hope to do? e.g. continue in the trade, study further.
I hope to complete my Certificate IV in Mechanics. I want to further my knowledge in specific products and hopefully one day become a foreman or work my way up in the transport industry.