Switching career success
Most work days you can find Brad Davis and David Emerton perched at the top of power poles. Heights don't faze the pair as they sling cable and repair electrical lines to ensure the rest of us can turn on a light.
It's a far cry from the days when Brad laid bricks for a living and David sold stationery in a retail store. Both had to give up their steady jobs and incomes to take on the new challenge of becoming power linesmen.
"The opportunity to be trained without cost into a new career outweighed sacrificing a regular salary," Brad said. David was after "more skills and eventually a better lifestyle" and he hasn't been disappointed. "I love the diversity of the job," David said.
Their career switch began last August when Brad from Maitland and David from Newcastle, responded to an ad for power linesmen apprentices with NSW energy supplier Power Serve.
The two men didn't know each other at the time. Both are married and David is the father of four young children. The guys completed a five-month pre-apprenticeship course at group training provider, the Hunter Valley Training Company.
HVTC and Power Serve teamed up five years ago to offer employment training programs.
The program was something of a gamble for Brad and David as there was no guarantee that Power Serve would even take either of them on at the end of their traineeship. Both struck gold and started formal apprenticeships in January this year.
A spokesperson for Power Serve said Brad and David, the two eldest trainees, were selected because of their quality performance, commitment and willingness to learn.
The two hope their achievement will help others realise that it is possible to change career paths later in life.
Those undertaking pre-apprenticeship courses can apply to Centrelink for income support. As full time students, those 24 and under can apply for a Youth Allowance and those over 24 can apply for Austudy.
Apprentices and trainees are also eligible for financial assistance to cover study days. The assistance was made available after a change to the rules on July 1, 2005.
There are variations on the assistance rules for people on a single parent or disability pension so for further information contact Centrelink.
By Zsa-Zsa Bowie Wilson, careerone.com.au, April 10, 2006.
