"Jobs don't have a gender": Meet electrician Sarah

A love of learning saw this sparky become a trainer and advocate for all students in the industry. She’s making sure there are no barriers to pursuing a rewarding, challenging career in the electrical trades. 

Sarah has over two decades of experience under her belt as a licensed electrician. 

Learning has always been important to her. Not only does she get a kick out of learning new things, but Sarah also believes in continued professional development. 

“I have continued to complete additional VET courses and training throughout my 24 years as an electrician.”

Training in the Territory

The Certificate IV in Electrical Instrumentation had been on her “to do list” for a while. 

As the Territory’s largest training provider, Sarah came to the right place. 

CDU has the best equipment and trainers available in the NT for electrical training, especially in the instrumentation field.

“Trainers have recent practical experience and want to share knowledge not just tick boxes,” she adds.

“This course was to help further my skills and formalise some knowledge that was pre-existing from my time on the tools.”

Her interest in training led to Sarah becoming an electrical trade trainer herself, followed by a technical officer role at the Electrical Trades Union (ETU). 

With an intricate knowledge of the industry, she now focuses on electrical trades and training packages are fit for purpose for the future of the trade.

Supporting tradeswomen

The electrical trades are still male dominated, but women are increasingly entering the industry - no doubt in part thanks to advocacy and support from experienced electricians like Sarah. 

“People are starting to realise that jobs don’t have a gender," she says.

As more women are entering the trade, women are more visible which also sends the message to younger women that they can do it also.

Sarah is also a founding member of SALT (Supporting and Linking Tradeswomen), a non-profit organisation that provides support to tradeswomen, apprentices and those hoping to work in the trades. 

She’s also involved in the Sparkettes, a group that helps women and other gender-diverse people in the electrical trades make connections in their home state or territory. 

Tinkering with the idea of a career in the trades? Sarah says go for it. 

“You will never find yourself short of work if you have an electrical trade career. It is a very portable skill and you can specialise in a niche area if you want to continue in general streams of electrical work.”

Find a challenging, rewarding career in the trades with CDU, from automotive and construction to electrotechnology and plumbing.