Bella kickstarts a new career

Brisbane administration professional Bella Hiscock is kickstarting a new career in the automotive electrical industry through a Certificate II in Automotive Electrical Technology (AUR20420) pre-apprenticeship course at TAFE Queensland’s Alexandra Hills campus.

The course runs for 10 weeks, three days per week, and gives participants the foundational skills required to hit the ground running in an apprenticeship – which is exactly what Bella plans to do.

“I’m looking to gain an apprenticeship after this course, looking for this qualification to be a stepping stone into an apprenticeship, particularly because my previous career was not to do with cars or a trade at all,” Ms Hiscock said.

“I love cars and I love technology. I’ve built my own PCs and I’ve spent many, many hours in my life working on cars, fixing things, looking at little bits and pieces – so I genuinely want to work on cars and I think auto-electrical is a good mix of my passions and strengths,” she said.

Automotive electricians are listed as in shortage across all states and territories according to the national Skills Priority List published by Jobs and Skills Australia, making the occupation great choice for career starters. The National Centre for Vocational Education Research’s latest data states there are almost 3,500 apprentices in-training as automotive electricians across the country, with Queensland hosting the largest cohort of any state or territory.

Automotive electricians specialise in the wiring within motor vehicles.

More than ever, employers want their apprentices to hit the ground running, and many job listings specifically ask that applicants complete a pre-apprenticeship course before applying, which is exactly what Bella found in her search for an apprenticeship.

“I’ve spent some time applying for apprenticeships and I haven’t had much luck, so I signed up for this course to help me get an apprenticeship. I’ve found that I am learning a lot and I think this will definitely help me into the future,” Ms Hiscock said.

Bella is confident this qualification will increase her chances of securing an apprenticeship.

“We’re knocking the theory-heavy subjects out of the way first so that we can go into the workshop and do our practical training in bigger sections, which just makes sense for this 10-week course.”

While Bella has some experience in selected skills used in the automotive electrical industry, she is keen to expand on and better these through her pre-apprenticeship course to feel confident entering an apprenticeship.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back my skills in soldering through this course. I did a computer technology course a long time ago and I enjoyed soldering circuits and working with circuit boards, so I’m excited to get back into that skill,” she said.

TAFE Queensland offers a range of pre-apprenticeship courses across many trade industries, and employers from builders to bakers are expecting more than ever that apprenticeship candidates are entering their employment with basic skills already established.