Growing up, naval shipbuilding apprentice Rebecca was surrounded by family in the Defence Force. \u201cMy parents, grandfather and older brother \u2013 they were all in the Army,\u201d she says. \u201cI didn\u2019t really want to go down the Army route, but I still wanted to stay in defence.”<\/p>\n
With a love of building and hands-on subjects including metalwork and outdoor education, Rebecca knew from an early age that a trade could be for her.<\/p>\n
During high school in 2021, Rebecca \u2013 who says she learns best by doing \u2013 realised her dream and won a fabricating apprenticeship at Adelaide\u2019s Osborne Naval Shipyard with BAE Systems Australia, the company contracted to build Australia\u2019s 9 Hunter class frigates.<\/p>\n
Rebecca is in her first year of training and is completing a certificate III in Engineering \u2013 Fabrication Trade at TAFE SA. \u201cThe thing I love most about this job is everything is hands-on and you get to learn something new every day, it\u2019s just a really, really awesome job,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
It was during high school at St Patrick\u2019s Technical College that Rebecca spotted a role at BAE Systems Australia. \u201cThis job just popped up and I went for it,\u201d she says. \u201cIt kind of caught my eye that this job can be a lifetime job and if I just work hard and dedicate myself to this job, I think I\u2019ll love it a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n
Building large ships the Royal Australian Navy will use to serve and protect the nation \u2013 including the Hunter class frigate, which at 151.4 m long will stretch more than six tennis courts laid end to end \u2013 really piqued Rebecca\u2019s interest.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn a way, I\u2019m also helping them by participating in building ships and protecting our country and protecting our waters,\u201d Rebecca says.<\/p>\n
The sheer size of BAE Systems Australia \u2013 and its broader global business \u2013 was a big drawcard to Rebecca.<\/p>\n
At school, Rebecca won several awards for her efforts, including Best Research and Metals & Engineering and to stand out in her interview, she made sure to demonstrate her experience in hands-on subjects and her collaborative approach. \u201cWherever you work, it\u2019s really important to work in a team environment,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
Rebecca\u2019s advice for other young people: \u201cIf there is an opportunity that comes up, go for it.<\/p>\n
\u201cKeep working hard and no matter how tough it is, there is always going to be success at the end of that road. You\u2019ve just got to keep trying hard and never give up.\u201d<\/p>\n