Women In Trades Wednesday- Kate Cawkwell
Kate Cawkwell is a third year Electrical apprentice working at Fonterra and studying through Open Polytechnic.
A trade career wasn’t originally in her sights, though family members in the electrical industry inspired Kate to give it a go. She explains to WIT how beginning a medical degree ended up a turning point into entering a trade apprenticeship: “I previously went to university to do a medical degree- having thought my whole life that University was the way to get ahead. How wrong I was! I left uni after my first year, having found it a rather isolating and depressing experience (among other personal contributing factors). After I left study I had no idea what to do with myself. I went to a dozen job interviews but I was always told I was 'too young with not enough experience'. At that point it was suggested to me that I look into getting a trade by family members who work in the electrical industry.”
She had a direction to explore now, but what was Kate’s process to get into the electrical trades? “I saw an ad for an apprenticeship with Fonterra- but thinking I would never get it, I didn't apply. I then went on to apply for a few other apprenticeships before my Mum and my Nana convinced me to apply at the dairy company. Many of my family members had previously worked for Fonterra, and told me what a great place it was to work. I wrote up my CV and handed it in well past the application closing date, though this didn’t seem to be an issue- after what I thought was a rather extensive employment process I had the Job!”
From day one in her trade career, Kate was learning “I’m still an apprentice, but my gosh how I have progressed! Not only in my trade, but as a person also. I came into my apprenticeship just a little scared of failing, I had never used a power tool or stripped cable, or opened a motor before. I didn't even know what the insulation colours were/meant and physics was not a strong subject of mine. I can now do many things and confidently 'wing' the rest! I was initially a bit scared of where this career choice would or wouldn't take me, though I can see now that the world is my oyster. I could go anywhere in the world with this trade!”
A day as an electrical apprentice for Fonterra looks a bit like this: “I’m in a maintenance electrical role, so there are a lot of checks and small improvements that we make on a daily basis. There are also a lot of cool, larger installation and improvement jobs that we do. I feel lucky to work for a company that encourages self improvement and further diversified learning as we also get to deal with a lot of instruments and process automation.”
Family influence was a strong factor in Kate choosing electrical as her trade. “Im not sure if you'd call it inspiration or coercion, but my Mum and Nana really pushed me to put in my applications. Also my Uncle has done extraordinarily well with his trade behind him so this was rather influential.”
A trade career can definitely come with it’s challenges, but as Kate explains, many of these can relate to your own thoughts about heading down a new career path. “Most of my challenges were more mental than anything else, particularly in the beginning of my apprenticeship. I often wondered if this was the right path for me and if I would ever be any good at it. I am so grateful to have had such a supportive team by my side, and that I stuck at it. I couldn't see myself anywhere else now! One thing I struggled with when I started applying for trades was the perception that getting a trade was like a last resort, I was scared some of my family and friends would look at me as a failure when really the only person that felt that way was myself. I wish I had known how challenging this apprenticeship was going to be. It’s not like school where the curriculum was set out for you and you knew what you were going to be tested on. Your success in a trade is dictated by your own motivation and ability to ask questions to further your understanding and do a better job. I also wish I had known about all the other avenues that an electrical trade can take you down, and that there is a lot of money to be made if you work hard enough. I also wish someone would have told me that there is a place for women in this industry because we have something different to give.”
What does Kate love most about her trade? “I love the diversity, each day brings something new. New challenges and new people. I like being on my feet and doing physical labour, its very rewarding. Most of all I love being in a job market that is not saturated and offers new opportunities at each turn. I have a lot of people asking me to do small jobs for them, its pretty cool feeling of value to others. I've also started a lot of new sports that have partially been made possible by my workmates. Like snowboarding and water skiing!”
And for the future, Kate has some super cool goals to chase! “I would love to travel the world with my trade for a while, work on ski fields, maybe some marine work on super yachts, Antarctica with their science projects, the cook islands setting up housing and schools. You can literally go anywhere with this!”
Of course, along with what she’s told us so far about what she wishes she had known before pursuing her electrical career, Kate still has a couple of tips for those considering the same career path: “Just get out there and don't hold back! Be your authentic self because authenticity makes people feel comfortable around you, being "real" is relatable. (To a degree I guess, your boss doesn't need to know your position on controversial topics in an interview).” And even for those who may think age could hold them back from starting a trade: “My mum’s been saying that she wishes she got a trade, so I asked why she doesn't get one now? Her reply is that its too late. I disagree, my Mum is 47 and thus has ATLEAST another 20 odd years of working life before retirement. I haven't even been working 5 years yet and it feels like a lifetime. An apprenticeship is only 3 years, then you'll have at least 17 more years exploring your new career! Remembering that you'll only go as far as your work ethic and determination.”