Bright future ahead for sparky: Region’s apprentice makes history

While most high school seniors are preparing for Schoolies, you’ll never guess what this bright, young spark has chosen to do instead.

Alisha Di Ruggiero will be working at the Toowoomba Energy Queensland depot as a trainee electrician. Wednesday, October 20, 2021. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Women across the region are thriving in trades and while most seniors are preparing for Schoolies, you’ll never guess what this bright, young spark is doing instead.

Early starts and a hard day’s work sound pretty unappealing to most, but for Alisha Di Ruggiero, these aspects are part of what drew her to pursue a career in a trade.

Alisha Di Ruggiero will be working at the Toowoomba Energy Queensland depot as a trainee electrician. Wednesday, October 20, 2021. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Initially keen to follow in the footsteps of her dad, who is a carpenter, the 17-year-old quickly discovered her passion laid within a different field.

And now she is one of the state’s first four school-based apprentices to be offered a position with Energy Queensland.

“I’m drawn to the electrician trade because it’s a nice balance of mental and physical challenges, which I really enjoy,” Ms Di Ruggiero said.

“Before the Energy Queensland apprenticeship, I working as a contractor and there weren’t many females.

“I was working with a great group of guys, so I never had an issue with inclusion and I definitely think it’s becoming a better environment for women.”

Alisha Di Ruggiero will be working at the Toowoomba Energy Queensland depot as a trainee electrician. Wednesday, October 20, 2021. Picture: Nev Madsen.

The year 12 student will graduate from the Australian Industry Trade College this week and hopes to study electrical engineering in the future.

Instead of going to Schoolies, the driven apprentice will help her dad with work.

She starts her full-time job at the Energy Queensland Toowoomba depot next month.