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Jacqueline Atkinson
Jacqueline completed Year 12 in Albury in 2008 and had started a certificate in childcare when she realised it wasn’t really what she wanted to do. After moving to Shepparton and getting involved in women’s groups at Rumbalara Jacqueline was encouraged to talk to the Careers Counsellor at GOTAFE to help her decide on a career path.
After discussions with Careers Counsellor, Jess Croft, who helped her identify her interests, Jacqueline enrolled in the furniture pre-apprenticeship and found herself the only female in a classroom of males. “It hasn’t been an issue for me, the guys are great and I feel very comfortable here.”
As a single mum with a young child and coping with a disability, Jacqueline said it’s not always easy but the support from the Disability Liaison Coordinator at GOTAFE and the carpentry staff has been terrific.
“It’s sometimes difficult to do certain physical tasks in class or use some tools but I can usually find ways to complete the same job in a different way,” she said. “I haven’t needed any special physical aids, even though they were offered to me. Usually I work out how to do the task with help from the teachers. But they make me think about it first and try to come up with a solution myself!”
“The course has been great to boost my confidence,” said Jacqueline. “I have found something I really enjoy now.”
Jacqueline says she likes learning how to make things and the focus on the detail in each job, with the finished product being especially rewarding. As for her future plans Jacqueline says “At this stage I want to continue training next year and I would love to get an apprenticeship in furniture making if I can.”
