Bree Johnstone has always been a hands-on learner. Growing up in Invercargill, she would help her Dad work on cars, and as a result, had a long-held interest in taking on a trade.
After achieving NZQA level 2 at Southland Girls’ High School, Bree continued her learning journey by enrolling at SIT in the New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (level 3).
“I found out about SIT through Southland Girls’ High School at Career Fest,” Bree says.
Prior to starting at SIT, Bree had no idea what to expect, but was soon learning a wide range of engineering skills: all types of welding; machining; fitting; gas cutting and plenty more.
“The most valuable thing I learnt from my course was that it’s okay to make mistakes because you learn from your mistakes,” Bree says.
The biggest difficulties Bree faced during her course was gaining confidence in her abilities and in the work she was producing. “My tutors were a big part in me overcoming these challenges,” she adds.
In fact, Bree describes the support she received from her tutors as the highlight of her course. “They definitely helped me throughout my time at SIT.”
As well as developing her self-belief, Bree grew in other areas. “Studying at SIT changed my work ethic and gave me a better attitude towards finding a career in what I enjoy doing.”
Most of all, the enjoyment of meeting new people was at the top of her list from her year’s training and study.
Bree is now an Engineering apprentice at New Zealand Aluminium Smelters (NZAS) Tiwai, and says her SIT pre-trade course gave her the head start she needed at the beginning of her apprenticeship.
Intending to become a qualified engineer and continue working in the engineering industry, Bree’s advice to women who may be thinking of a career in trades, reflects the initiative she has to make her own way in the world. “Do what you want to do and not what others tell you to do,” she says.