It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe youRebecca Niclasen is a third-year carpentry apprentice, beginning her carpentry apprenticeship as a mature age apprentice having already had a career in horticulture. 

At secondary school, Rebecca excelled in woodwork. She always had an interest in carpentry and was the recipient of the woodworking award at secondary school.

As women were not encouraged into the building industry when Rebecca was finishing secondary school, she was guided toward a horticulture apprenticeship. She became a qualified horticulturist and ran her own landscaping and horticulture business in her early twenties. Rebecca also worked at a nursery. 

It took Rebecca nine years to get the courage to change careers and follow the career of her dreams, and she is very thankful of the support provided by her family, friends, and industry.

Rebecca believes it was the best decision of her life, and consequently she is a very strong advocate of women in trade . She has an Instagram page encouraging women in the industry with thousands of followers. She is a representative on the government’s apprenticeships taskforce Apprentice and training reference group. Rebecca has also participated in career expo’s and on panels visiting schools talking about her carpentry apprenticeship, promoting, and encouraging women into trades.

Rebecca currently works for a boutique building company specialising in high-end builds. To assist with her apprentice wage, she also works weekends at a hardware store.

Rebecca has had to endure some challenging events, but she has not let this deter her determination to become qualified as a carpenter. She recently had all her tools stolen from her ute outside her home which was not covered by insurance due to a loophole. The building company she first started her apprenticeship with, went into liquidation and she lost all her entitlements. Rebecca has also had to have a repeat ACL repair to her knee, following the first surgery failing. This knee surgery unfortunately ended her football career where she was playing at AFL reserve level.

Despite that disappointment, Rebecca has been active in coaching girls sport. 

Rebecca has recently been nominated for the Master Builders Apprentice of the year and also Holmesglen TAFE apprentice of the year.

Rebecca recently got engaged and hopes to one day start a family and continue being an advocate for women in trades such as carpentry, and to be able to continue to work while raising a family in an area where this is to be fully demonstrated and accepted, unlike industries , such as nursing and teaching where this took place 40 years ago. want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share wit

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.