Student Profile: Alanna

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.