Apprentice spotlight: Building Confidence in a High-Voltage Career

Stephanie Reif always knew a 9 to 5 desk job wasn’t for her.

Drawn to hands-on work and the outdoors, she was looking for something different, a career that would challenge her and offer a sense of purpose. With a love of climbing and a desire to do meaningful work, an apprenticeship in overhead electrical distribution with Endeavour Energy felt like a natural fit.

Now, Stephanie spends her days working on high voltage infrastructure that keeps communities connected. For her, the role goes beyond the technical work. It’s about supporting people who rely on electricity every day, including those who depend on it for critical medical needs.

Like many new entrants, Stephanie had limited knowledge of the new energy sector before starting. What she did have, was curiosity and motivation, which have shaped her experience from the beginning.

Her days are active and structured, often starting with a gym session before heading to work. After checking the plan for the day, she’s out on site, working in elevated platforms, operating in a harness, and helping to pull new lines across the network. The physical nature of the role, combined with the team environment, is a big part of what she enjoys, along with the sense of accomplishment that comes from completing a job.

The transition into the apprenticeship, however, came with challenges. After time away from formal education, returning to study proved difficult, particularly the maths-heavy components of the qualification. Early on, Stephanie did not pass her first practical assessment, a setback that tested her confidence at a critical stage of her apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship Support Australia (ASA) engaged early to provide consistent, structured support. Through regular check-ins, it became clear the challenge wasn’t a lack of motivation, but adjusting to the academic demands of the course.

Stephanie was supported with targeted learning resources, guidance on accessing additional help through TAFE, and encouragement to seek support from supervisors and trainers. Importantly, the initial setback was reframed as part of the learning process, helping her rebuild confidence and stay focused.

Financial support also played a role. Thanks to the Trade Support Loan and the Australian Governments KAP incentive payments, Stephanie has been able to ease financial pressure while continuing to invest in her future.

With the right support in place, Stephanie has remained engaged through the early stages of her apprenticeship. She has increased her study efforts, applied the support available to her, and continues progressing with confidence.

Stephanie encourages anyone else considering an apprenticeship to give it a go and make it count. “Effort stands out in a positive way. Show enthusiasm and engagement at the interview and at the job. Ask questions, be curious, it’s the best way to learn!”