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A carpentry trade isn't a traditional career path for most women, but for 2nd year apprentice Alanna, it ticked all the boxes.

Carpentry wasn’t my first choice straight out of school. When leaving school, I felt pressured to go straight to uni, so I applied and was accepted into a criminology and justice degree. I stuck with that for a semester before changing to a business degree. After a year, I realised uni wasn’t my thing and I needed something more physical.

It made sense for me to give carpentry a go because my father was a chippy. It was the trade I knew most about. As a child, I enjoyed making things out of timber off cuts with my Dad while at his work.

I work for Fifth & Co. based in Brisbane’s Southside, constructing new builds and renovations. A typical day for me as an apprentice is helping the boys with tasks, cutting timber for them, or working together to build wall frames, stand trusses and put-up steel. Sometimes I am given tasks like fitting windows to complete on my own and test my abilities and memory.

Some weekends I help my dad out with building staircases for his work. This is something that my company does not do, so it provides me with a great learning experience.

The thing I like most about my job is seeing a piece of land turn into a beautiful home with the help of different trades. As well as renovating homes to make them safer, brighter, or give them a new look.

Lifting materials and equipment is the hardest part of my job. I have been working on my strength by hitting the gym after work. Strength takes time, so what felt heavy a year ago doesn’t feel as heavy now, so I know it can only improve.


"Training with Inscope Training has allowed me to do all of my training on-site while still having the opportunity to go to the Training Centre if I wish.
They regularly check in with me, answer all my questions and stop by the job site to discuss improvements or commend my efforts."


In 5-10 years, I see myself as a qualified carpenter either working for a company or having my own with a focus on finished work such as decks, fix-outs, stairs, furniture, renovations, and makeovers. These are the jobs I enjoy the most and am best at.

Carpentry Apprentice

This article is part of the Inscope Training Student Profile Series. Contact us if you are interested in learning more about the trade apprenticeship training, we deliver in Queensland and New South Wales.


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