TAFE Queensland

TAFE Queensland refrigeration and air conditioning apprentice Natasha Kirchner has been decided on as the Construction Competencies Queensland Tradeswoman of the 12 months at the National Affiliation of Girls in Development (NAWIC) Awards in Brisbane.

Held every year, the NAWIC Awards showcase the achievements and market improvements of women, males and organisations in the building market.

A 3rd-yr apprentice, Kirchner was recognised for her commitment to setting up a effective job in HVAC&R, together with her passion for becoming a positive job model for other females wanting to pursue a trade career.

Just before switching to RAC, Kirchner worked in hospitality, but says she was sad with her job course. A single day she assisted a close friend install an aircon device at his parents’ household, and took an fast desire in how the process labored.

“At the finish of the working day, I was captivated,” states Kirchner. “I have constantly been a arms-on learner and adore staying included in anything at all that gets my hands dirty, but never connected this with a trade.

“I have normally experienced supportive dad and mom, and they were thrilled when I chose to start out looking for an apprenticeship. They hadn’t found a correct intent in my eyes for a when and ended up happy to see that spark that I’d let melt away out occur again to light,” she claimed.

Kirchner states that obtaining an apprenticeship and breaking into the HVAC&R business – wherever ladies make up only 1 for each cent of the workforce – was difficult, but it did not set her off.

“After a couple knockbacks I began to realise that I am not concerned to are unsuccessful and I am not fearful to be faced with a obstacle that could possibly knock me for six,” she suggests. “I imagine everyone is confronted with challenges in their life span and it is our option if we allow them handle us or we turn all over and consider command of it.”

Kirchner sooner or later secured an apprenticeship with Airmaster, and now providers some of Queensland’s most significant governmentally owned structures, health care, aged care, academic, industrial and professional creating services. She has also been concerned in some of Airmaster’s main initiatives in just the Brisbane CBD, such as upgraded suit-outs of new air conditioning units all through the aged and new Queensland govt buildings.

Kirchner praises her employer and says she is enthusiastic about her career prospects.

“In the foreseeable future I’d definitely like to go finish a dual apprenticeship in electrical, acquire a lot more experience on the tools as a dual tradesperson, and later on move up into administration,” says Kirchner.

Airmaster Functions Manager Luke Peressini claims that given that signing up for Airmaster, Kirchner has been a worthwhile element of the workforce.

“Her push and enthusiasm has been there because day a person, and it proceeds to maximize as her skillset does,” says Pressini. “I see a incredibly brilliant long run for Natasha inside the field and her progress has no bounds.”

President of NAWIC Queensland Sheree Taylor has congratulated Kirchner on her achievements to date.

“NAWIC are so happy to keep on to do the job with field to shine a light on to the fulfilling vocation options and appeal to, assistance and acquire chances for ladies to thrive,” suggests Taylor.

As the winner of the award, Kirchner will have the option to perform with NAWIC more than the following 12 months as a volunteer Tradie Ambassador. Her initially engagement associated participating in a panel dialogue at the current NAWIC function, Celebrating Woman Achievements in 2021 – Gals on Instruments Toolbox at the Construction Education Centre in Brisbane.