by Gabriella Vukman
For third year joinery apprentice and Basin resident Jessica Herrod, a regular Friday starts off with a boiling hot coffee and a social gym session before a long shift at the factory.
However, on Friday the 4th of October, there was not a work boot in sight.
Swapping splinters and sweat for a dazzling cocktail gown, Ms Herrod headed to South Wharf for an evening of formalities.
Recipient of the Third Year Joinery Award at the HIA-Stratco Apprentice Awards, on Friday night, Jessica Herrod was recognised as one of Victoria’s outstanding apprentices.
Jessica said, “Obviously being an apprentice, you have to work really hard and you don’t really get to see much outside of the factory so it’s nice to have a reward and come out of it with an extra pat on the back.”
“I found that even on the Monday after the awards, it really felt like I had more confidence in my work so the award was really nice and reassuring,” she said.
The process of being recognised for an HIA-Stratco Apprentice award consists of three stages. Firstly, employers nominate candidates and liaise with TAFE teachers.
Next, candidates submit their first official entry which consists of a document answering ten questions.
The final stage of the award-selection process is an interview with an award representative.
During her interview, Jessica answered questions about her pathway into apprenticeship.
“I feel like they wanted to find out a lot of information about the companies and what’s going on within the trade industry. They were asking questions about how people act on site and wanted to know if they were using safety and whether I had noticed anything different happening in the trade industry,” Jessica said.
“They asked if people had suggested that I go into particular trades or if my school had pressured me into going to university.”
“Personally, my school was really supportive of me going into a trade. Maybe it is because I did VCAL and everyone in my class was also going into a trade so it may be a bit different to what it would have been like doing VCE.”
Despite her achievements in the trade, joinery was not Jessica’s first choice.
“I was originally going to get into cabinetry and become a cabinet maker but then when I was applying for jobs online, My now workplace gave me a call saying they were building staircases instead of cabinetry and asked me if I wanted the job,” Jessica said.
“At first I was a bit hesitant because I wasn’t looking for that but I told my parents and they suggested I go down the joinery avenue,” she said.
“I really like the factory that I work at. I like the consistency. It does get repetitive but it’s a really nice work environment. I have my own space and I can put my headphones on and can work at my own pace.”
For Jessica, completing an apprenticeship is the first step to becoming an architect or draftsperson.
Jessica said, “I am hoping to do architecture later on or drafting so this apprenticeship is hopefully the first stepping stone towards that.”
“I think I like architecture because I have always really liked the house that I grew up in. It is right next to the Dandenong Ranges and I love the landscape and everything so I think that’s why I like architecture, because I grew up in a really nice house,” she said.
“I’m also doing a night study at the moment in construction design and architecture which I am also hoping to use for my future career.”
This year’s HIA-Stratco third year apprentice joinery award was accompanied by a 500 dollar gift voucher and Jessica plans to spend it on tools.
