Proud Kaurna woman and fabrication apprentice Marley Courtney has been recognised for excellence at the prestigious NAIDOC Week Riverland Awards. The Renmark (SA) resident is currently pursuing a Certificate III in Engineering and received the Apprentice of the Year Award, shining a light on the remarkable contributions made by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the Riverland community.
At just 17 years old, Marley has demonstrated qualities that stand out in the workplace, including punctuality, a willingness to learn and a proactive approach to her responsibilities. Her nomination came as a surprise, “It’s a good feeling knowing all my hard work, from working overtime to being eager to learn, is paying off and it’s getting recognised,” Marley said.
Her journey into the world of fabrication began in high school, where she developed a passion for metal technology. Encouraged by friends and supported by Australian Apprentice Support Network Mas National*, Marley pursued a trade pathway with enthusiasm, “I absolutely loved doing metal tech in school. I thought, I could really go somewhere with this trader,” she said.
Mas National facilitated Marley’s placement with host employer SA Water in Berri, where she is now eight months into her apprenticeship. Marley is part of a diverse team, and joins two other female apprentices on site. She commended Mas National for their support during the onboarding process, “Mas were really helpful when I first signed up with SA Water, they explained the whole apprenticeship process perfectly and made everything seamless,” she said.
SA Water’s supportive environment has been crucial in her development, “All the people here are amazing to learn off and I just enjoy every single bit of it and I’m learning so many new things. As a fabricator, I’m learning so much from the seniors,” she said.
Looking ahead, Marley is eager to continue her growth in the trade and aspires to reach the level of senior colleagues, taking on more responsibilities and continuing to learn.
Marley offers this encouragement to those considering a fabrication apprenticeship, “Go for it! The only thing holding you back is yourself. Remember, every ‘no’ brings you one step closer to a ‘yes’. I was initially turned down for a hairdressing apprenticeship, but that setback led me to this opportunity, and I couldn’t be happier with where I am now.”
