Lockdown has opened up unexpected opportunities for young tradies, who are in high demand amidst the construction-led recovery effort.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
One of them is Samuel Hamilton, who will soon fulfil his childhood dream of becoming a builder when he opens Hamilton Building and Construction.
The 27-year-old carpenter will open for business in January, marking the beginning of his dream building career.
"I think a lot of young fellas are doing pretty well, especially with Wagga's building industry booming at the moment," Mr Hamilton said.
"It's funny. Leaving school I always wanted to be a builder, but at the time around 2009 there wasn't much going in the way of carpentry apprenticeships."
He spent his first eight years out of high school working as a plasterer, before finally landing a carpentry apprenticeship three years ago.
These days there are more than enough apprenticeships to go around, according to Riverina Master Builders Association president Rowan Towse.
Mr Towse said builders were hard-pressed keeping up with the soaring demand, and that there were plenty of opportunities for young tradies willing to help out.
"In basically every trade there's a demand because of the increased workload of rebuilding, and Wagga's booming as always with the growing outer suburbs," Mr Towse said.
"Plumbers, carpenters, electricians, the whole lot. My advice would be if you're someone leaving this school this year, you should seriously think about a trade because the demand's there."
Mr Towse himself is a builder based in Tumbarumba, where work is underway rebuilding houses that were burnt down by this year's bushfires.
He is taking on another apprentice early next year to help deal with the enormous workload.
Mr Hamilton has not even opened for business yet, but is already booked out for several months in advance.
He plans to start off working on small renovation jobs while he finishes off his TAFE building certificate, before moving on to full-scale home building projects.
"I've always loved getting hands-on. I've never been one to sit in an office, I've wanted to just be out there," Mr Hamilton said.
"Even as a kid, I was out there tinkering and doing something. I've always loved it."
READ MORE:
Kenji Sato
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
