“I just thought it would be really neat to be able to do the things that the contestants do on that show,” Rebecca Roberts, 35, said.

The fact she wanted to renovate her house sealed the deal.

Originally from Canada, Ms Roberts said she had worked in the deli department at a grocery store from age 18.

“I did that for 12 years, so I was definitely ready for a change.”

Ms Roberts is currently completing a Certificate III in electrotechnology through TAFE NSW because she wanted a job that would give her practical skills.

She now travels to Sydney once a week to study at the TAFE campus at Miller (near Liverpool), but spends most of her days working at substations in Newcastle and Sydney and describes her decision to switch careers as life changing.

“It’s more than I could have ever expected. Every day is different and my days are never boring,” Ms Roberts said.

“I like all of the different things I am learning and that it’s more of a hands-on job.”

LAST MONTH: TAFE students on big stage this week

The TAFE study has been difficult, at times.

“It has been challenging. There’s a little bit more science and physics than I was expecting, but it’s been really exciting to do that sort of thing again,” she said.

“Some of the things I’ve learnt, I could have never imagined myself doing. For example, last week a transformer stopped working at work and I had to climb a telegraph pole to try and get it back into service.”

Ms Roberts said her experience at TAFE NSW had been so worthwhile that she’d encourage anyone not satisfied in their current job or situation to make a change and see what’s out there.

“Go and do it, you won’t regret it. It may seem scary at first but it will change your life,” she said.

The format and delivery schedule of TAFE had made it easy for her to study, she said.

To view courses online, visit tafensw.edu.au

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