Darre
arren* is just like any other Aussie bloke in his
mid-twenties.
He spends almost all of his spare time outdoors, where he enjoys things like 4x4ing, fishing and most importantly (to him) 'finding a missus'.
If you saw Darren on-site, you'd swear he was a seasoned tradie, but at 25*, Darren has just started his apprenticeship.
Darren knew that changing careers would put a dent in his wallet, but what impacts did it have on his mind?
'I'm a lot happier now than I was in my old job', he says, 'I didn't know how unhappy I was until I started my apprenticeship. I actually like turning up to work for once!'.
why one man quit his corporate job to become an
apprentice.
As a university graduate, Darren was set for a life of working in construction management.
He had all the perks of a corporate job: high salary, company phone and a 9 to 5 job. But the corporate suit-and-tie lifestyle wasn't enough for him.
He craved something different. Something hi-vis:
'My job was alright, the pay was good. But I just wanna be outdoors and do stuff with my hands'.
This inspired Darren to quit his job and become an apprentice. He didn't care what trade it was, he just wanted to jump in and get his hands dirty.
When asked how he knew he'd made the right choice, Darren says that it's simple:
'You've gotta do what makes you happy. Working in an office for the rest of my life wasn't gonna do that.'
His need for job satisfaction trumped all the perks he was giving up at his office job- including pay.
He says that 'even though I get less (as an apprentice), it's worth the sacrifice'.
When you ask him why people should consider taking on an apprenticeship, Darren states that there are three reasons why he loves it: 'It keeps you fit, you get to use power tools and chicks love it'.
He adds that people should 'just go for it, but you've gotta have an apprenticeship lined up before you quit your old job- that's just common sense, mate.'
When asked what skills you need for the job, Darren says enthusiasm is a must:
'Don't do something half-arsed because it pays the bills. Do what you're good at, and do what you love'.
With a new lease on life, Darren is one of the few who dare to change direction and start their careers from scratch.
If you, or someone you know, is thinking about becoming a tradie, click here for more info about apprenticeships!