Dakota Arkey is a year 12 school-based apprentice at St Mary’s Catholic College.
She is currently attending school three days a week while gaining hands-on paid work experience with her host employer RJ Build FNQ.
The company was so impressed with Dakota’s work ethic and enthusiasm during her work experience that she was taken on as an apprentice carpenter.
Dakota, 17, took an interest in the construction industry as she grew up, assisting her father who holds dual trades as a boilermaker and fabricator.
Her brother is following his father’s footsteps by gaining the same qualifications and will further his skill set at university to become a design engineer.
Dakota, who has already completed a Certificate I in Construction and is currently completing a Certificate II in Engineering, would like to either join the Australian Defence Force to become a combat engineer and work with design explosives or gain a teaching degree to teach trade.
“SchoolTech has helped me get my apprenticeship and has helped with my school,” she said.
“I am a hands-on learner so it has benefitted me so well. I find that you can always go to uni, it doesn’t matter what you do at school. I find that the Vocational Education and Training (VET) pathway is the best as it allows you to explore more as a student.
“I would 100% recommend this program to other students as it is a great way for students to learn.
“The support that I have been given includes all the teachers in the trade centre offering me opportunities and helping me achieve my goals.
“Employers benefit from this as it is a great learning opportunity for both the employee and employer, and it can help build future trade workers.”
RJ Build FNQ director Rhys Jones said Dakota has shown great initiative.
“She offers to help in all areas and takes direction well,” he said.
“For students, the Vocational Education and Training program is a great way to learn skills while you are still at school, which can set you up for a successful future in your chosen industry as soon as you leave school.
“Not everyone benefits from going to university. This is a great way to start making money straight away.
“As an employer, you are helping shape the future people of your industry by passing your skill set on. Businesses benefit by getting an extra set of hands on the job and young adults and students could bring something new to the table.”
Dakota speaks highly of her teachers at St Mary’s Catholic College and the trade program offered at her school, which includes engineering, automotive, woodwork, furnishing and electrical.
Dakota is working towards reaching her goals and recently completed a nine-day leadership program (she also assisted with delivering the program) in Townsville with Australian Army Cadets. Dakota has been in the cadet program for four years and thoroughly enjoys the experience.
As well as working on achieving her carpentry apprenticeship, Dakota has a very busy life working in hospitality on weekends, playing soccer and touch football.