Mackay woman ‘gets her hands dirty’ in apprentice of the year competition

Elizabeth Burrell represented Mackay at the Hastings Deering apprentice of the year competition against the best in the state. FULL DETAILS

Liz Burrell represented Mackay and Hastings Deering at the Apprentice of the Year competition. Photo: Benny Jewell

In a gladiatorial competition of skill, dedication and perseverance, one Mackay apprentice came close to claiming the top prize.

Elizabeth Burrell, 26, from Collinsville, was one of Hastings Deering’s top seven apprentices from across Queensland and Papua New Guinea.

Originally from Collinsville in the Whitsundays, Ms Burrell attended Whitsunday Anglican School as a boarder and has been in Mackay ever since.

After graduating she was referred to Hastings Deering by an AFL teammate and started her four-year apprenticeship as a diesel fitter in 2019.

“Growing up on a cattle station I really enjoyed hands-on work,” she said.

“I went into retail after high school and missed hands-on work, that lead me to diesel fitting.”

Elizabeth Burrell competed against six other apprentices in seven highly technical simulated scenarios. Photo: Benny Jewell

Out of the 13 diesel fitter apprentices at Hastings Deering Mackay, Ms Burrell was the only woman to be nominated for the Apprentice of the Year Award.

After performing an exam and delivering a 10 minute oral presentation on all she had learnt, Ms Burrell was flown to Brisbane.

There, she was pitted against the six other successful candidates in a seven station practical skills contest.

The stations were specialised workplace simulations, designed to challenge a specific aspect of their skills such as customer service, mechanical error identification and machine repair.

“It was really challenging,” Ms Burrell said.

“The faults are realistic and they make it as hard as possible.”

The apprentices had 90 minutes at each station and were pushed to their limits.

Despite her best efforts, Ms Burrell was unable to secure the top spot.

Despite not achieving the top position, Liz was grateful to have the opportunity to prove her skills. Photo: Benny Jewell

Ms Burrell has signed her first contract with Hastings Deering as a certified diesel fitter.

“Just because you finish your apprenticeship doesn’t mean you stop learning,” she said.

Not satisfied with her professional work, she puts her hands to use in her private life renovating her home in Mackay or helping out on her partner’s parents hobby farm.

“It’s exciting, its fun, it’s challenging,” she said.

“Definitely give diesel fitting a go if you’re willing to get your hands dirty.”