A Wagga mother of five who spent two decades teaching geography has made a major career change, becoming a first-year apprentice electrician.
Nat Adams, 42, studied business before moving into teaching, spending around 20 years at Kildare Catholic College and The Rock Central.
As her children became older and more independent, Ms Adams began considering a new career and eventually turned to the trades.
Her brother alerted her to female-identified apprenticeship opportunities with Essential Energy, prompting her to apply.
“It’s been so different and so exciting to work as an apprentice electrician,” Ms Adams said. “I’m working outdoors, using my hands and using my brain differently.”
Ms Adams is now undertaking her apprenticeship with Essential Energy and completing Certificate III in Electrotechnology training at TAFE NSW Wagga Wagga through one-week training blocks.
Her work largely involves electrical substations, including replacing ageing equipment, wiring switchboards and maintaining transformers.
Her career change comes as more Australians move between occupations. Latest ABS Job Mobility data shows Technicians and Trades Workers accounted for around 15 per cent of all people who changed jobs in the year to February 2026.
The Hays 2025 Skills Report also found 87 per cent of surveyed workers believed the skills required for their roles would change within five years, highlighting growing pressure for workers to reskill and adapt.
TAFE NSW Wagga Wagga electrotechnology teacher Matt Close said mature-age apprentices were becoming increasingly common as people sought stable careers with strong long-term prospects.
Essential Energy offers female-identified positions across selected electrical apprenticeships as part of efforts to improve gender diversity in traditionally male-dominated trades.
Recruitment for Essential Energy’s 2027 Apprentice Program has now closed, with more than 2,200 applications received for around 40 roles across regional NSW.
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