Introduction

Alice Clarke had no hesitation about leaving her hospitality job to pursue an electrical apprenticeship. At just 20 years old, the Jindabyne local knew she was ready for a change. She wanted a career that offered greater challenge, variety and long term opportunity.

“It’s the best decision I’ve ever made,” Alice said. “It’s given me more freedom, rather than feeling tied to the chaos and customers at the pub.”

The Challenge

Although Alice was well connected in her local community, transitioning into a trade came with challenges. In particular, entering a male dominated industry tested her confidence. While the idea of becoming an electrician had quietly sat in the back of her mind, taking the leap required persistence and self belief.

“For example, a lot of people were saying ‘good luck with that’ or ‘I can’t believe you’re a girl going into that’,” Alice said.

As a result, finding an employer willing to take her on became her next hurdle. At the same time, she needed to prove she had what it took to succeed in the trade.

The Solution

Fortunately, Alice already had connections in construction. She also had a partner who worked as a plumber. Because of this, the pathway into a trade felt achievable.

Alice set her sights on Porter’s Power & Electrical Solutions, a business she already knew well.

“I didn’t stop nagging them for about a year,” Alice admitted. “I was pretty persistent.”

Eventually, that perseverance paid off. After completing work experience, Alice demonstrated a strong work ethic, genuine enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. Importantly, those qualities led to an offer of an electrical apprenticeship.

With support from Mas National (Mas), proudly part of the IntoWork Group, Alice formalised her apprenticeship. As a result, she was able to settle into the role with confidence.

The Results

Now, Alice works across solar, residential, commercial and automation projects. As a result, no two days look the same. Solar has already emerged as a favourite, and she has recently begun training through NECA.

Through this experience, Alice has quickly discovered how broad the electrical trade can be.

“It’s exciting,” she said. “There’s so much to learn. Pretty much every day is different. It’s been quite eye‑opening to see how much there is to it.”

Meanwhile, any initial concerns about working in a male‑dominated industry have eased. Instead, Alice has found strong on‑site support and growing confidence.

“The amount of support I get from the guys on site has been enormous,” Alice said. “There are a few things that need brute strength, and I can’t always match the boys. However, I have an eye for detail that they don’t, which is definitely an advantage.”

Conclusion

With her apprenticeship well underway, Alice feels excited about the future. She is also eager to expand her skills across different areas of the trade in the years ahead.

Ultimately, her journey shows that persistence, the right support and a willingness to back yourself can open the door to a rewarding, future‑focused career. This holds true no matter the expectations others may place on you.