Different paths to bright futures: Two AGA apprentices kickstarting careers in Albury-Wodonga
Caitlin Trenery, 19, is building a career in an industry she admits “can be a little gross”, but one she says she got used to very quickly. With support from AGA in Wodonga, she is currently completing her traineeship to gain a Certificate III in Dental Assisting, taking her first steps towards a future in healthcare.
“You never get bored, that’s for sure,” Caitlin said. “Every day is different.”
Caitlin remembers her first shifts in the busy Smollett Street Dental clinic being both exciting and a little daunting.
“Honestly, it was really exciting, of course, because it was like starting something new. But it was also terrifying because there’s a lot to try and understand,” Caitlin said. “But you learn pretty quickly with everything going on and all the support that you get from everybody.”
Caitlin quickly found her feet and is now feeling confident in the role. Working directly with patients every day has reinforced her decision to pursue a career in the dental industry. She enjoys the variety and opportunities to learn new skills, and the traineeship has also opened her eyes to the many pathways available within the broader health sector.
Another AGA apprentice, Maisy Barton, is equally thankful she took the leap into a completely different career path. Now in the second year of her electrical apprenticeship, Maisy said the opportunity came along unexpectedly but quickly proved to be the right decision.
“It honestly just came up as a good opportunity,” she said. “I just enjoyed it so much more than what I’d been doing at school. Everything kind of fell into place and worked out for the best. I realised really quickly that I’d made the right choice.”
As a young woman working in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Maisy has been encouraged by the support she has received from her workmates.
“Everyone I work with is awesome. They’re really respectful and see me as just a colleague. They don’t treat me any differently from anybody else,” she said.
Both Caitlin and Maisy credit AGA’s ongoing support with helping them stay connected and confident throughout their training. Maisy said AGA’s two-monthly progress check-ins have been an important part of her apprenticeship journey, while Caitlin appreciates the flexibility of regular check-ins and easy access to support when needed.
“They’ve been a big support,” Caitlin said. “If I ever have any issues, it’s easy to be able to message them. The team is very flexible.”
For both apprentices, their experiences have reinforced the value of learning on the job while building long-term careers close to home. Caitlin hopes to continue her studies in the future, potentially progressing into another specialised health field, while Maisy is focused on completing her apprenticeship and exploring where a career in the electrical industry may take her next.
“I’d tell anyone considering a trade to just go and do some work experience. There are plenty of options, and you never know until you try.”
