TAFE School of Engineering Testimonials

Michelle Costantino

Best 2nd Year Apprentice of the Year - Fitting & Machining

Sarah Tregoning

Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce Technical Achievement in a 2nd Year Apprenticeship Program

Michelle Costantino

Best 2nd Year Apprentice of the Year - Fitting & Machining

Michelle was employed in the hotel industry and gained a Certificate IV in hospitality when she decided she needed a career change.

As a 26-year-old woman, Michelle Constantino faced two major challenges when she decided in 2004 to pursue a toolmaking apprenticeship at Swinburne TAFE after completing an pre-apprenticeship program. She was regarded as mature-aged and she was female. For Michelle, age is not a barrier to any change of career at any stage of life and being a woman is even less of an obstacle. "Nowadays, I don't think age should be a barrier to anyone, Michelle said "And for females, well, we can do anything that guys can do."

I love my job. I come home from work covered in grease every night, but I'm still happy. I think that's one of the most important things - that you're happy doing what you're doing."

It was important for schools to make all students, male and female, aware of apprenticeships and what they could offer, she said.

"I wish that someone had suggested to me in high school that I could do an apprenticeship because it was something that I was never pushed towards at all," she said.

Asked what advice she would give to young women considering a career in non-traditional trades, Michelle said: "If you can find the right people to support you, then anything is possible.

Michelle is clearly a high performer and an excellent role module for young women entering non-traditional trades.

This is the attitude that has carried Michelle through two years of a toolmaking apprenticeship and recently won her the Best 2nd Year Apprentice title at Swinburne TAFE.

Michelle is employed by Ai Group Training Services (AiGTS) and Mett Pty Ltd

Sarah Tregoning

Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce Technical Achievement in a 2nd Year Apprenticeship Program

After leaving University, Sarah wasn't sure what she wanted to do. She took some time away from study before realising that I had a need to learn. I wanted to learn about something I knew nothing about. Sarah enrolled into a pre-apprenticeship in automotive program. I loved the hands-on learning environment. I also gained an understanding that the Automotive industry itself is an ever evolving field where I would always be learning something new. So the natural step was to find an apprenticeship.

I choose Swinburne to complete my apprenticeship schooling because the teachers not only taught and challended me, but actually cared about their students.

I've now completed my schooling component, well ahead of schedule, so currently I'm completing the work-place component and am due to be qualified at the end of November 2007.

I've have obviously gained knowledge and skills from my apprenticeship, but also a lot more confidence in myself and my abilities. I have learned that being happy in your line of work is very important. If feel that this course has opened a door to a world of possibilities for me.

My qualification is a foundation on which I can build on. From here I may undertake further study, maybe a Certificate IV. I can also travel and work as a mechanic anywhere in the world.

Sarah's mature and independent approach has earned her the respect and admiration of her peers and teachers alike. Working in a non-traditional area, Sarah is well on her way to becoming a valuable contributor to the automotive industry.

Sarah is employed by ULR Landrover.