How Two Young Women Took Their Own Path To Their Dream Careers

Photo above: Emma Hay (left), WA Trainee of the Year 2014, at the Murdoch University Vet Farm, and Taylor Wood, WA School Based Apprentice of the Year 2014, at Matilda Bay Restaurant.

This post is presented in partnership with the Western Australian Department of Training and Workforce Development.

Primary school. High school. University or training. Job. Give or take a gap year here or a part-time job there, that’s the journey most students feel they have laid out for them.

Two young women, however, couldn't even wait until they'd finished high school to take the next step.

Taylor Wood followed her passion for cuisine when she undertook her Certificate III in Commercial Cookery as a school based apprentice.

“From the first day I started my commercial cookery course, I knew this was the journey I was going to take, not only just in school, but after school as well,” she said.

“I’m so glad I did because I absolutely love cooking and going into that course was the best thing I’ve ever done.”

The journey took Taylor to the WA Training Awards, where, in 2014, she was named WA School Based Apprentice of the Year. She was also named the Australian School Based Apprentice of the Year Runner Up at the national Australian Training Awards, held in Adelaide.

Since graduating from high school, she’s been hired as a full-time apprentice chef at Matilda Bay Restaurant in Perth.

“Now I have the confidence to run a section on my own and to do all the prep I need to do by the time service starts,” she said.

Taylor is passionate about her training pathway and wants to take it as far as she can, whether it is through further studies or by heading overseas and doing cooking classes all over the world.

“By starting a school-based apprenticeship, it’s really shown me why training and learning matters and why it’s important to learn and always be learning,” she said.

Emma Hay also got a head start on her career by completing a Certificate IV in Vet Nursing in Year 12, making her the first Australian to qualify as a veterinary nurse while still at school.

She was similarly recognised for her achievements by the WA Training Awards, being named WA Trainee of the Year and Australian Apprentice (Trainee) of the Year Runner Up in 2014.

“I started from the bottom like everyone does, cleaning cages and walking the patients, working my way up to lots of medical nursing and surgical nursing,” she said.

“To win the WA Trainee of the Year really highlighted to me that what I had done was out of the ordinary.”

By following this career path, Emma is on her way to fulfilling the dream of becoming a veterinarian, for which she is now studying at Murdoch University.

“I’m hoping more schools and students can see that those pathways are available and more people will take those pathways, instead of struggling and not getting the marks they wanted when they could be studying something they love.”

The Department of Training and Workforce Development recognises this hard work and the achievements made by students, apprentices and trainees in the WA Training Awards. Along with the recognition of being a top achiever in your field, winners receive a $5000 study grant to help you continue on your training journey or kick start your career.

Do you have a good story to tell? The WA Training Awards want to hear from you! Apply here. Applications close 8 May 2015.