"I didn't enjoy school that much but didn't want to leave to go to an office job. I wanted a job where I could learn new skills and one that was practically orientated.
My guidance counsellor suggested I look at doing an apprenticeship, so when I left school I did some pre-apprenticeship training. That led to Skills4Work taking me on as an apprentice in 2000.
Because the study was about hands-on work and was practical, it made it heaps easier and more interesting than I ever found my school work. I definitely recommend an apprenticeship to any young people who want a practical yet creative job.
Women don't think of apprenticeships as an option. Sure it can be a little difficult for women, because you are usually working mostly with men, but you just need to be open about that before you go into this industry and accept that it's a different sort of environment.
But you do need to be realistic. The average woman would most likely have physical problems doing the really heavy fabrication, but there is an endless range of options within engineering."
This year Kirsten became the first woman in the Auckland region to complete her apprenticeship with Skills4Work.