Apprentice travels road to success

Determination marks a rewarding path through obstacles for Madeline Chamberlin

OWNING a first car opens a new social environment and plenty of freedom. But for Madeline Chamberlin, an 80-Series LandCruiser triggered a career-defining turning point and opened a passion for automobiles.

Together with apprentice training firm WPC Group and employer LSH Auto Australia, Ms Chamberlin has soared to being the recipient of numerous awards and becoming a role model for other female technicians.

Now a tradesperson after finishing her apprenticeship at LSH Auto Brisbane, she is working towards master technician status and from there, aims to expand her skills in electric vehicles.

Madeline Chamberlin’s journey is also an example of the aim of the Australian government’s current review of the Australian Apprenticeship Incentive System which provides financial support to apprentices, trainees and employers.

The system’s mandate is to encourage people to start an apprenticeship or traineeship and see it through to completion to ensure Australia has workers with the trade and technical skills needed by industry, providing secure, well-paid work and career advancement.

For Ms Chamberlin, the road to becoming a light-vehicle technician wasn’t initially clear cut.

“I wasn’t sure at school what I wanted to do, so I worked in the hospitality industry for a few years,” she told GoAutoNews Premium.

“I bought an 80-Series LandCruiser because I grew up driving along with my family. Unfortunately the car decided it didn’t want to participate a lot of the time, so I spent a lot of time trying to repair it because I couldn’t afford to take it to a mechanic.

“I really enjoyed the little jobs that I did on it and decided to take it further.”

Ms Chamberlin kicked off her career by completing a certificate at TAFE for automotive technician.

“The TAFE teachers passed my name along to WPC who then contacted me about an apprenticeship,” she said.

“I didn’t actually get an apprenticeship straightaway. I was offered a warehousing job with LSH Auto Australia on a 12-month contract and then two months in, they offered me an apprenticeship. I was then 24.”

Asked if she had told LSH Auto Australia she was looking for an apprenticeship, she said: “Absolutely. To me that was everything so I constantly told them. ‘This is what I want. This is what I’m going for.’

She is now the only female mechanic at LSH’s workshop that services and repairs Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles, including the Queensland ambulance service’s fleet.

“It’s exciting because they hardly had a female apprentice there until after I started here,” she said.

The other women work at LSH Auto Australia’s passenger car workshop, but Ms Chamberlin is more than happy with the commercial vehicles.

“I prefer diesels. That’s what my knowledge is and I really enjoy them. It’s what my LandCruiser is so I’m more familiar with that engine type,” she said.

Ms Chamberlin currently works on Mercedes-Benz Sprinters and V-Class vans, many from the Queensland ambulance fleet.

“I could have a chance to work on other models such as passenger cars and that option is always open.”

In her first year of the apprenticeship, her TAFE teacher nominated her for the Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year award.

“I was just happy to participate in that one. And to then end up winning it was fantastic,” she said.

LSH Auto Brisbane has a three-step program to become a master technician. So it’s just working through the maintenance and service technician subjects before being able to move on to master tech.

“That is the goal and then hopefully move to become an EV specialist after that. That’s going to take a few years so I’ll start with mastertech first and then work my way up.

“That’s the best part about doing cars – there’s so many different avenues you can go down and you’re always learning and always acquiring new skills if you want to push yourself.”

Ms Chamberlin also won Apprentice of the Year for light Automotive in 2021 which led to a scholarship through WPC Group to go to the UK to work for a week in Stockport.

Asked if she had advice for other girls who wanted to get into the trades, she said not to be concerned about being physically strong enough for the work.

“Strength comes naturally from just working and exercising different parts of your body – and your mind,” she said.

“It comes from growing and learning constantly putting in the effort. Be confident, keep going and put in the work and you get better and better.

“I think it’s also up to the people you work with as well. They’ve got to be supportive.”