Barmaid to Electrician

The 28-year-old, who has a degree in commerce, said: “Everyone was a bit surprised when I said I was going to be an electrician but a lot of people said it was a pretty cool job for a girl to do. I definitely think there’s a market for female electricians because sometimes women feel more comfortable when a female electrician turns up at their door, rather than a man.” 

Michelle completed a degree in commerce at Griffiths University in Australia, majoring in human resources and industrial relations, at the age of 21. She decided to go travelling after her studies and ended up working in Japan for four years, teaching English as a foreign language. It was there she met her fiance, Richard Dart, who was also teaching English. She moved back to his hometown of Durham with him and a year ago the pair moved to London, where Richard works at a language school.  

Michelle said: “When I moved to London I thought it was high time to settle on a career. I decided that I didn’t want to do what I did as a degree because I just didn’t enjoy it. I enjoy a more hands-on job as opposed to sitting in an office, I don’t like being stuck behind a desk.” 

Richard suggested a few different career ideas for her but it was when he mentioned becoming an electrician that she became inspired. She said: “I think there’s a lot of job satisfaction being an electrician and I like that it’s a job where I’ll be active and I could easily go back to Australia and do it there if I ever wanted.” 

New Career Skills helps mature career changers to become plumbers and electricians. The Australian signed up and fitted her studies around her job as a barmaid, reading up on her coursework at home. She also visited a study centre near Southampton for practical lessons for four weeks. 

Michelle said: “I generally worked 40 to 45 hours a week which meant I was still bringing money in to pay for living and my course but my hours were very flexible, which meant I still had time to study.”