A casual job at Bunnings has sparked an unexpected career in fire protection for Windsor woman Kate Powell, who is now a second-year apprentice in the male-dominated trade. After initially enrolling in a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science, Kate realised she wanted a more hands-on career. Working as a forklift driver and later supervisor at Bunnings Duralas exposed her to tradespeople and inspired her to explore the most in-demand trades.

“I got a taste of how rewarding the trades could be and started investigating what trades were in the most demand. I spoke to a friend who was a sprinkler fitter and they told me what a versatile trade it was and how much demand there was in the industry,” Kate says.

She now attends TAFE NSW Randwick for a one-week “block” each month, learning practical skills and theory to thrive in her role with building services company Airmaster.

“There’s so much variety in the job and it’s satisfying to know the work you’re doing is protecting people’s lives. My TAFE NSW course is really relevant to my day-to-day work and the teachers and facilities at the campus are great,” Kate says.

Sprinkler fitters install, service and maintain fire suppression systems such as sprinklers, hydrants and hose reels. The role has been listed on Jobs and Skills Australia’s Occupational Shortage List for four consecutive years, highlighting the critical skills shortage in a $4 billion market growing due to stricter building codes, rising construction and ageing infrastructure.

“I’m proud of being a female in a traditionally male trade and want to be a role model for other young women,” Kate says.

TAFE NSW Randwick fire protection plumbing teacher Peter Edmonds, a 46-year industry veteran, added: “The industry really is changing and it’s great to see young women like Kate making their mark. TAFE NSW really is the go-to industry for training in fire protection and we give graduates the real-world, hands-on skills to succeed. A number of our graduates are able to open their own businesses as soon as they qualify, which you can’t say for many trades.”