Kiah Hinds loves being out in the fresh air, and always knew a desk job wasn’t for her.

“I tried to go to Uni for a bit,” says Kiah. “I was studying plants and animals which kind of goes hand in hand with being interested in the outdoors. But I’m just not built for working in a classroom. I realised that I need to be outside, being hands on, learning on the job.

When I was in high school, I had absolutely no idea going into a trade was even an option. I didn’t even realise until I was about 20 when I started thinking about this, and I was like, you know what, I could actually get into construction, do a carpentry course.”

Opening up options early

Kiah is about to start the second year of her apprenticeship at Valley Workshop, a business owned and operated by Penny Haley, a qualified carpenter and registered builder. She says the biggest hurdle she’s overcome was feeling like her practical skills were lacking.

Kiah initially sought out other women in the workshop for help – and there are a few! – worried she’d be judged by her new colleagues for asking “silly” questions. But she found that wasn’t the company culture at all.

“Now that I know them, they would never say anything like that!

You usually think of a building environment as like, all these very masculine men throwing things around, but our building environment’s more just being very logical about everything we’re doing. It’s very friendly and welcoming as well.

Obviously, I know how to use everything now, it’s just a matter of learning!”

Valuing people and the environment

Kiah says she’s excited to go to work every day. “I’m learning new things all the time. It’s just a really good environment; all my co-workers, we get along so well.

I feel like usually apprentices do a lot of labouring work basically, but we’re constantly asked if we have an opinion on things, what can improve in the work environment.

Everything we do is also very environmentally conscious. I really like being part of that.”

Kiah also loves that her job keeps her fit and strong for bushwalking adventures, and is planning out a literal career path that will bring her two passions together.