Valdal carpenter wins big
Queensland Apprentice of the Year for Farrington
VALDAL Projects’ Ellie Farrington has been named Queensland Apprentice of the Year at the Queensland Training Awards in Brisbane.
Named the Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year at the Queensland Training Awards ceremony over the weekend, Ms Farrington said it was surprising to take out the accolade.
“It was definitely unexpected but it’s a good way for me now to be able to get the message out there about vocational training being really good for anyone,” she said.
Now a qualified carpenter after completing her apprenticeship earlier this year, Ms Farrington said working in what was traditionally a maledominated field had been challenging at times.
“I think it’s been very character-building for me but I’m also very aware that I’m so lucky because of the people I work with and the people I work for,” she said.
“I think it’s been really important to acknowledge my limitations because the fact is I’m not as strong as some people and I can’t do things the way that they can. And they acknowledge that too and help as much as they can - but then also recognising where I can help or do something that they might not necessarily be good at. I think that’s pretty important.”
Ms Farrington said she was privileged to live in a time where if a woman wanted to learn a trade, she could.
“We’re living now in a time where you will be able to find the right employer and environment to work in. It might take a while but if that’s what you want to do, there’s no reason you shouldn’t,” she said.
“I am able to choose to be a carpenter if I want to. And a lot of women before me never had that opportunity.”
After starting an architecture degree, Ms Farrington said she stopped that “because my brain works in a way where I want to learn something from the ground up”.
She went on to do a maths degree, before beginning her carpentry apprentice at Valdal Projects.
Valdal Projects’ Stuart and Emily Valdal congratulated Ms Farrington on her win and wished or the best of luck for the National Training Awards, hosted in Brisbane in November.
“We are so incredibly proud of Ellie winning this award,” Mrs Valdal said.
“Seeing her through her apprenticeship from the beginning, and then qualifying as a carpenter earlier this year has been so rewarding for us.
“She’s an integral part of our team and we see big things for her future.”
Ms Farrington was recognised at the state awards in Brisbane alongside Queensland’s best apprentices, trainees, students, employers and training and community organisations.