A Ryde man who launched his plumbing career while still in high school has urged other aspiring young tradies to considering following his unique pathway.
Disillusioned by school and disengaged from its academic demands, Darcy Fletcher was eager to leave after Year 10 but his parents encouraged him to “stay the distance”.
Mr Fletcher discovered an option that would allow him to remain at school but also get a running into a plumbing apprenticeship.
He became a school-based apprentice, part of a structured program that enables students to gain practical trade experience while attending TAFE NSW and also completing their HSC.
Now a qualified plumber with Rescue U Plumbing, Mr Fletcher said having the ability to “earn and learn” while still at school had been a career game-changer.
“I really didn’t care for the academic side of school but my parents were insisting that I finish year 12,” he said.
“To be able to start my apprenticeship, attend TAFE NSW and still be able to finish school was an awesome experience.”
As a school-based apprentice, Mr Fletcher spent one day a week with his employer, one day at TAFE NSW and the other three weekdays studying his HSC at Holy Cross Ryde. After leaving school, he was already a second-year apprentice.
His story is becoming increasingly common, with the Australian Cirriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority revealing more than a quarter of Australians aged 15 to 19 undertook some form of vocational education and training while still at high school.
Mr Fletcher now just weeks away from being a fully qualified tradesman, while many of his friends are still at uni.
“I just love the gratification of identifying a problem and then finishing a job,” he said. “To be able to unblock something and then tell the customer ‘I’ve fixed it for you’ is a great feeling.”
Mr Fletcher has worked on a host of high-profile projects, from doing maintenance at Bankstown Hospital and repairing water mains on Pitt Street.
He said his TAFE NSW training had armed him with the practical skills and knowledge to thrive in his role.
“The teachers really care about you and your future and if you can’t figure something out in the workplace, they’re happy to tailor a lesson around it,” he said.
TAFE NSW Meadowbank Head Teacher of Plumbing Luke Mowen said Mr Fletcher’s story highlighted the value of school-based apprenticeships in helping young people transition from school into a skilled trade.
“School-based apprenticeships give students the chance to test-drive a career while still completing their HSC, and it can make a huge difference to their confidence and direction,” Mr Mowen said.
“For some young people, particularly those who thrive in hands-on environments, this pathway allows them to stay engaged with their education while gaining real workplace skills.
“By the time students finish school, they’re not just graduating with their HSC – they’re already well on the way to becoming qualified tradespeople.”