Clare succeeding in her ‘different’ career of choice

When her final year classmates were deciding on career pathways in fields like nursing or university studies three years ago, Warialda High School student Clare Mead was determined to do ‘something different.’

Clare, the daughter of former Narrabri resident Michelle (Coulton) and Aaron Mead embarked on an apprenticeship in auto electrics.

It may not be regarded as your usual career choice for girls but Clare is making it hers.

“I wanted to do something different,” she said.

Clare began with a school-based traineeship at Moree, doing two weeks each term while in years 11 and 12.

Then in October 2016 Clare began her four year apprenticeship at CL Dickinson Auto Electrics in Narrabri.

Clare has been steadily working through her TAFE studies and hands- on training at the Cooma Road workshop and has now reached her third year apprenticeship level.

She will be fully trade qualified at the end of 2021.

“This has been a great opportunity working at CL Dickinson’s,” she said.

Clare moved to Narrabri from Warialda when she was 17 and took a flat.

Living alone away from home was a challenge she met and overcame.

“It’s a bit different when you are paying your own bills,” she admitted.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed her TAFE study schedule a little and Clare has swapped her normal five days block release training with remote learning for the time being.

At CL Dickinson Auto Electrics, Clare has the opportunity to learn across a wide spectrum of high tech automotive issues with state of the art equipment, under the tutelage of workshop manager Daniel Hobden and proprietor Clayton Dickinson and the team.