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“What’s great about doing an Australian School-based Apprenticeship (ASbA) is that I’m getting the opportunity to start the career I want.”
Karlie is proof that work exposure opportunities at school can help kickstart an awesome career.
Karlie Morgan grew up in a family that loved tinkering about with engines. Often this meant pulling motors apart, replacing spark plugs, brake pads, carburettors, and working with different tools. It wasn’t until Karlie was a teenager that she considered a career path involving fixing engines herself. “I grew up with lots of bikes and cars as a kid. Plus my dad was a truck driver, so engines have always been a thing,” said Karlie.
In 2022, 15-year old Karlie started an Australian School-based Apprenticeship (ASbA) while completing Year 10 at Kings Meadow High School. Kylie began working two days a week at Moore Diesel and she’s been working there ever since.
“What’s great about doing an Australian School-based Apprenticeship is that I’m getting the opportunity to start the career I want.”
Working at Moore Diesel-, Karlie gets to slip on a pair of overalls and work on some big machinery. “It’s similar to being a mechanic, except I get to work on things like tractors and trucks, which is pretty awesome.”
After completing Year 10, Karlie went straight into a fulltime apprenticeship in 2023. Karlie is studying a Cert III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle. The apprenticeship sees Karlie now working 5 days a week at Moore Diesel. At the same time, she has to complete assignments (and on-campus activities at TasTAFE) to gain her qualification.
“Once I finish the apprenticeship, and I have the Certificate, then it gives me heaps of opportunities to branch out into different things. There’s not many people who choose to specialise in Heavy Commercial Vehicle repairs,” she said.
For some students like Karlie, going on to complete Years 11 and 12 in a school might not be the perfect fit (and that’s OK). Every one is different. Completing an Approved Learning Program (ALP) is what it’s all about. This could mean enrolling at a school or college, commencing a full-time apprenticeship/traineeship or commencing vocational education and training with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
Of course, with any Apprenticeship, there’s still a study component. The difference is you’re studying subjects in an adult-learning environment. “The TasTAFE study is quite involved. There’s a lot of bookwork, and you’ve got to research everything. Then you’ll do a practical assessment.”
For six weeks of the year, Karlie attends the TasTAFE campus in Alanvale. Here she works alongside other apprentices who are finishing the same Certificate. “It’s a great learning environment. The teachers are very helpful, and they know what they’re doing.”
Karlie is on track to finish her training in 2026, and to gain her qualification. If things go to plan, Karlie will be fully qualified in a specialist trade at only 19 years of age.
When asked if she’s sure it’s the right career path for her, Karlie didn’t hesitate. “Yes, I am,” she said.