Wagga mum-of-five Nat Adams has made an unlikely career switch from teaching to electrical work. Photo: Supplied.
After two decades teaching geography at Wagga high schools, Nat Adams found herself asking a question many workers eventually face: could she really see herself doing the same job for another 20 years?
The 42-year-old mum-of-five had already taken one unlikely career turn, moving from a business degree into teaching so she could have more time to support her growing family.
But as her children became older and more independent, Ms Adams decided it was time for another change — this time into the electrical trade.
“My kids were getting older and more independent … so I started looking at alternate career paths,” she said.
Ms Adams had spent 20 years teaching at Kildare Catholic College and The Rock Central before taking up a first-year electrical apprenticeship with Essential Energy.
The move was perhaps less surprising to her family than it might have been to her students.
Her father is a greenkeeper at the Wagga Rules Club, while her twin brothers work in plumbing and electrical.
“My brother alerted me to the fact Essential Energy were offering female-identified apprenticeships and I thought, ‘Why not?,’” she said.
“It’s been so different and so exciting to work as an apprentice electrician. I’m working outdoors, using my hands and using my brain differently … it’s really challenging and I love it.”
Rather than classrooms and lesson plans, Ms Adams now spends much of her working life around electrical substations, updating end-of-life equipment, wiring switchboards and maintaining transformers.
She is also back in the classroom herself, attending TAFE NSW Wagga Wagga for one-week blocks six times a year as part of her apprenticeship.
“My TAFE NSW experience has been great and there are other apprentices in my class who work at Perisher and Transgrid, so we come across similar things in the field,” she said.
Her career change comes as more Australians reconsider what they want from working life.
The ABS Job Mobility Report found nearly one in seven Australians who changed jobs in 2025 moved into technician or trade roles.
TAFE NSW Wagga Wagga electrotechnology teacher Matt Close said mature-age apprentices were becoming increasingly common.
“Nat’s journey shows it’s never too late to start a trade career,” Mr Close said.
“We’re seeing more people come to electrotechnology after working in other industries because they’re looking for a career that offers variety, job security and the opportunity to develop highly sought-after skills.
“Electricians are at the forefront of some of the biggest changes happening in Australia, from renewable energy and battery storage through to smart technologies and electrification, so demand for qualified workers remains very strong.”
