Hollie Coburn’s always had a thing for heavy machinery.
“My dad worked on projects all around the world as well as in Australia after we moved from Northern Ireland in 2004 and in turn, I always wanted to get into something similar.”
Which she did, inevitably. Just with a small detour.
“I became a pastry chef in 2014, worked in the city for a bit at Gazi with George Calombaris, then we moved out to Gippsland from Narre Warren where I started working in local pubs,” Hollie said.
“Some days I’d start at 10am and finish at 10pm. There'd been no time for family, fostering or hobbies.”
With three children aged 16, 13 and 9, three dogs of their own plus a sporadic intake of foster fur babies, Hollie was keen to change things up in her career so she could do more of what she loves doing.
“I would always have one night a week to do things with the kids, but it was never fair on them to not to get to do stuff on weekends or after school,” Hollie said.
“I compete in strongman and do jiu jitsu as well. I had to stop going as the classes always clashed with work and trying to just get to the gym was hard enough. I saw the Certificate III in Civil Construction course online and knew it was what I wanted to have a crack at.”
Hollie operating machinery at TAFE Gippsland's Yallourn campus.
About to graduate and start her role with Rubber Tough Industries, Hollie is super happy with her decision to study civil construction with TAFE Gippsland, with teacher Kevin Hayes continually helping her prepare for work in the ‘real world’.
“Kev’s been awesome at getting us on the machines straight away and setting up a bunch of different scenarios that'll cross over well into real life,” Hollie said.
“He always has time for us when we ask him anything about what to expect after TAFE. And if we have a certain task we'd like to try out, he's always willing to set something up for us.
“They [Rubber Tough] said the course I'm doing now is one of the main reasons they hired me. I feel like it's a good starting point for my new career plus a great new work life balance with a 5.00am start and a 2.30pm finish.”
Kev said he’s Hollie, who’s one of only two females in the course, has been 100 percent invested in her studies since day one.
“Hollie is fully committed to a career change and has excelled in the course; her theory work has been excellent and she has taken full advantage of the opportunity the students get to spend time on the earthmoving equipment,” Kev said.
“Civil construction is a great industry with plenty of opportunity and our plant operations course is great place to get people started, with a strong focus on engaging the students in practical activities and plant operation to prepare them for what they will encounter when they get out in the field.”
Civil construction teacher Kevin Hayes giving Hollie some training tips at TAFE.
Visit our website to learn more about our Certificate III in Civil Construction or Certificate III in Civil Construction - Plant Operations.