ABBEY ADAMS
REBECCA THRESHER
School-based Apprentice in Engineering & Fabrication at Rampage Marine and Fabrication
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ow long have you worked there? I started at Rampage through the Newman College Workplace Learning Program at the start of Year 11 2021 and then gained a Schoolbased Apprenticeship with them in July 2021. Where did your interest in this industry come from? I first did Industrial Technology Metals as a subject in Year 7.The more I learnt, the more I enjoyed it and realised I could do this as a career. So I changed schools for Year 11 and 12 and chose Manufacturing & Engineering as a subject. This led me to where I am now completing the HSC and Certificate II Engineering as a School-based Apprentice at Newman College. What are you looking forward to most in 2022? Finishing Year 12 and continuing as a second-year Apprentice full-time. Tell us how you maintain 86 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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a healthy school/work/life balance? Newman College has a flexible learning program that allows School-based Apprentices to work two days during the week and this helps me balance my work and school. I work everyday during the holidays but there are plenty of weekends in the year to enjoy my time. Enjoying what you do at work really helps with the balance. What advice would you give your 16-year-old self? I am still only 16! But I will always remind myself to be grateful for opportunities and to take them. Also to make sure I remember what it was like to be a girl starting out in this field. I have chosen the career I wanted to do and love doing, despite it being a male-dominated industry. I’m glad I have the courage to put myself out there and do something different and hopefully help with gender equality in these industries for the future.
School-based Apprentice in Painting & Decorating with G.N Painting and Decorating
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ow long have you worked there? I had been doing work placement for several months in Year 11 through Newman College’s Workplace Learning Program before I was officially signed as a School-based Apprentice in October last year. Where did your interest in this industry come from? It was the second workplacement I attended. Prior to that, I had no idea what pathway I wanted to take. The people I worked with made me feel very welcomed and I just genuinely enjoyed the work I was doing. It’s satisfying and productive and I’m earning money while completing my HSC. What are you looking forward to most in 2022? Making the most of my last year in school whilst optimising every opportunity I can. Having a career ready for me after I finish school is such a blessing because it means I can really just enjoy all aspects of school and my job without the anxiety of the unknown.
Tell us how you maintain a healthy school/work/life balance? Sometimes it’s harder than it seems because I also have an additional part-time job. But keeping things in perspective and making time to be with friends at school before we all go off in different directions after we graduate from Newman will be important. What advice would you give your 16-year-old self? I received a bit of pre-judgement when I told people I was moving to Newman especially to do a construction course, but moving schools was the best decision I ever made. My advice would be – stop trying to be what other people want you to be. In the end, you have to live your life and whilst yes, I have responsibilities, at the same time I’m still a teenager and I’m allowed to make mistakes. Just try to learn from your mistakes and ask for help when you need it. There are a lot of people out there who want to help, especially at Newman.
