Change Of Career The Right Move For Naomi
Newcastle Herald
Wednesday July 30, 2003
TOP apprentice Naomi Cathcart has proved herself a bright spark since she embarked on her new career path.
Ms Cathcart, 30, won the Overall Apprentice of the Year across all Trades award at the 2003 Hunter Regional Apprenticeship and Traineeship awards.
Presented by the Hunter Regional Apprenticeship and Traineeship Advisory Committee, the awards recognise the achievements of students from across the region.
Twelve trainees and 15 apprentices received awards on the presentation night at Western Suburbs Leagues Club.
The keynote address at the presentation was given by Natalie Conyer, director of recognition services for the Department of Education and Training.
Ms Cathcart is now eligible to compete in the NSW Training Awards, which will be held on August 28 at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre at Darling Harbour.
A Muswellbrook resident, she worked as a clerical/accountants secretary for eight years before the desire for a career change and the influence of a few female electricians inspired her to plunge into an apprenticeship with Macquarie Generation.
For the past four years she has juggled working full-time with Macquarie Generation as an apprentice electrical fitter and part-time study at Hunter Institute of TAFE's Muswellbrook campus.
``It can be a daunting thought to change careers, embark on a new career path and become an apprentice at this stage in life, but it has certainly been worth it," she said.
Currently working on conveyors and motors at Macquarie Generation's Bayswater site, she said she enjoyed the variety and scope of work available to her in the electrical field.
Since beginning her four-year apprenticeship, Naomi has completed an impressive range of courses.
They have included the Certificate III in Electrotechnology Systems Electrician, the Diploma of Electrical Engineering, a Certificate III in Programmable Logic Controllers, a Certificate III in Industrial Electronics, a Statement of Attainment in General Construction-Dogging and Rigging, and a Statement of Attainment in General Construction-Explosive Power Tools.
© 2003 Newcastle Herald