We’re thrilled to share that PEER electrical apprentice and Ambassador, Isabella LaVista, has been featured in the latest HiViZ newsletter by Master Builders SA. In this inspiring interview, Isabella shares her journey into the trades, how she’s breaking down barriers for women in construction, and what motivates her to succeed.

As a PEER Ambassador, Isabella plays a key role in promoting trade careers to young people, particularly women, through school visits, public speaking, and mentoring. Her passion for the industry and her commitment to helping others make her a standout role model in the VET sector.

Read her full story below.

Source: Master Builders SA HiViZ Interview – Isabella Lavista

How to Be Rising Star and Tradeswoman of the Year

“My favourite moment at work was towards the end of my first year, I was running cables for damper actuators with my supervisor, Chris Errington, when he turned to me and said he’d put his nomination in for me as PEER apprentice of the year. He explained that he was impressed with my work ethic that he enjoyed working with me as I had a positive attitude and a drive that he hadn’t seen in many young workers. As a first year, I felt validated and proud of my work, as I was still learning and had a lot of self-doubt about whether I was doing a good job at work. This motivated me to work harder as I realised how much more I could accomplish if I put my mind to it.

 

Receiving feedback from someone you respect and look up to at work is validating and as women we are emotional creatures, we like to hear it and feel it. Whilst my male colleagues show their appreciation in playful jokes, hearing the words resounded with me more. I don’t feel what I do is extra, I just show up, do the job I’m told to do and do my best, but from what I’m learning there are lots of people out there that do the bare minimum.”

Are you comfortable with being a role model for others thinking of doing a trade?

“Absolutely. I strongly believe that if I can help others feel comfortable doing a trade by sharing my experience and being someone, they can relate to, then I am being the person in someone else’s life that I wish I had when I was considering becoming an apprentice. You can’t be what you can’t see, and I want to be seen by young girls and women so they know they can do a trade too.”

Closing statement from Isabella;

“I never planned to enter a trade; I was scared I’d be treated badly. I’m not treated badly but I am treated differently, just for being a woman. While more doors are opening for women in construction, the real change needs to happen on-site, with the men we work beside every day.

 

I’m constantly asked what it’s like to work in a male-dominated industry and honestly, I’m over it. Especially when it comes from men. What I’d rather see is more awareness around how to build better team dynamics, treat people fairly, and recognise the strengths women bring to the table.

 

Management often gets it, but the biggest culture shift needs to happen on the job sites. That’s where the outdated attitudes linger, and that’s where change matters most.”

Interviewer: Tahlia Cross – HiViZ Committee Member

At PEER, innovation is part of how we improve and evolve. A recent initiative by the RTO Team has not only raised the bar for training delivery but also reinforced why PEER continues to lead the way in education and apprentice development.

The pilot not only demonstrated the effectiveness of a reimagined training model but also showed the power of truly listening to apprentice feedback, something PEER is deeply committed to.

Through strong teamwork and a focus on improving the apprentice experience, PEER has introduced a new approach that’s already showing positive results.

This pilot has provided a solid example of what effective training can look like and offers a helpful model for future programs.

Trainees will have the opportunity to work with leading employers across Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine, naval shipbuilding, and sustainment enterprises. This important program provides a traineeship in a critical industry, designed to equip participants with the skills and experience needed to thrive in the Australia’s rapidly growing defence workforce. Throughout the program, trainees will gain exposure to a broad range of disciplines, including manufacturing and engineering, computing, technical drawing and CAD, warehousing and logistics, procurement and supply chain, and project scheduling.

Litica, another trainee in the program, reflected on the significance of the opportunity.

“I’m feeling excited and a little nervous, this is a big career opportunity for me, so there are a lot of emotions today. I’m looking forward to meeting new people and trying new things. Once I complete the program, I hope to have a career in the maritime side of the industry, ideally working on submarines and warships for the Navy.”

PEER is proud to support the next generation of defence industry talent and thanks all attendees for helping to make the welcome event a memorable milestone for this group of future leaders.

For more information about the Defence Industry Pathways Program, click here. PEER’s next intake is scheduled to commence on 7 October 2025.

PEER extends sincere thanks to all involved in supporting the 2025 WorldSkills Australia National Championships.

The event served as a powerful reminder of the strength of the apprenticeship model and the value of collaboration across employers, trainers, mentors, and the broader Vocational education community.

PEER apprentices Joseph Prior (Electrical – hosted by Glow Heating & Cooling), Aidan Coleman (Electrical – hosted by AHT), and Finn Koch-Reid (Refrigeration – hosted by Westside Group) represented South Australia with distinction. Their professionalism, technical capability and commitment were outstanding, reflecting the quality of training and support they have received throughout their journey.

This milestone represents a great moment of pride for PEER and the broader trade training community, a reflection of the commitment to excellence and the shared goal of building highly skilled tradespeople for South Australia.

Source: Australian Government I Defence: Shaping up to get ships out | Defence

It’s all hands on deck for South Australia’s next generation of shipbuilders with the launch of two exciting employment initiatives.

The first cohort of South Australian trainees and apprentices took their first steps into the defence industry through the Defence Industry Pathways Program and Shipbuilding Employment Pathways pilot initiative.

The Shipbuilding Employment Pathways initiative will support apprentices throughout their four-year trade qualifications, building skills and experience in trades critical to Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine and naval shipbuilding and sustainment industries.

Several intakes of apprentices will commence over the next two years, growing the future workforce for South Australia’s shipbuilders and supply chains.

Through the Defence Industry Pathways Program, trainees will receive hands-on experience working with defence industry employers, finishing in 12 months with a nationally recognised Certificate III in Defence Industry Pathways.

Over the next three years, 150 South Australian trainees will begin their journey through this tailored pathway.

The program has been expanded from Western Australia, where it started as a pilot in 2021 and continues to thrive. Over the past four years, nine intakes have completed the program, with more than 70 per cent of graduates securing jobs in the maritime defence industry, while others have chosen to continue their training.

First Assistant Secretary Waterfront and Continuous Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Andy Cann welcomed the first South Australian trainee cohort, and highlighted the importance of the Defence Industry Pathways Program.

“The resounding success of the Defence Industry Pathways Program in Western Australia and its expansion into South Australia is part of how we develop the workforce to deliver maritime capabilities for the Australian Defence Force for decades to come,” Mr Cann said.

“Establishing the program in South Australia offers more opportunities for young people seeking to join the maritime defence industry, and ensures our nation’s long-term naval capability needs are supported by a highly skilled workforce.”

‘I was drawn to this program because of my passion in cybersecurity, and it feels like the perfect first step. I’m looking forward to learning new skills and gaining real-world experience to help build my career in the field.’

For 23-year-old Matthew Clemente, one of the first South Australian trainees, the Defence Industry Pathways Program is exciting and a little nerve-wracking.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to pave the way for future trainees,” Mr Clemente said.

“I was drawn to this program because of my passion in cybersecurity, and it feels like the perfect first step. I’m looking forward to learning new skills and gaining real-world experience to help build my career in the field.”

Head Virginia Workforce and Commercial in the Australian Submarine Agency Rear Admiral David Mann said these initiatives demonstrated the Government’s commitment to the AUKUS partnership.

“These trainees and apprentices will get valuable experience in defence industry, growing the highly skilled workforce needed to support, enable and build nuclear-powered submarines,” Rear Admiral Mann said.

“This investment in our next generation of defence industry workers demonstrates our commitment to Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine program.

“These initiatives will create rewarding, long-term career pathways for new workers in South Australia.”

The program is also one of the 22 initiatives contained in the South Australian Defence Industry Workforce and Skills Action Plan.

The initiatives have been designed in partnership with industry to generate near-term and sustained longer-term impacts to address workforce demands and projected future needs, while also building on work already under way.

With plans to expand the Defence Industry Pathways Program across the country in future years, graduates are already proving to be an integral part of Australia’s naval shipbuilding and sustainment enterprise.

Peer Education Employment & Training Ltd (PEER) is supporting both initiatives, in partnership with TAFE SA. Visit their website to express interest in joining the next intakes of the programs: peer.com.au/careers/

(i) Engineering – Fabrication;

(ii) Engineering – Mechanical; or

(iii) Electrotechnology – Electrician

Apprentices will graduate with a nationally recognised qualification in their chosen trade, as well as unique experiences and non-accredited training offered only to nuclear powered submarine and naval shipbuilding and sustainment Pathway program participants.

As the Group Training Organisation, PEER will employ and manage apprentices and facilitate host placements and non-accredited training for the SEP.

The Defence Industry Pathways Program (DIPP) is a 12-month paid traineeship that awards graduates with a 52904WA Certificate III in Defence Industry Pathways. This program provides hands-on training and experience across various sectors of the defence industry, including manufacturing and engineering, computing, logistics, procurement, technical drawing and computer-aided design (CAD).

The Program in South Australia (SA) is an expansion of the successful program of the same name established in Western Australia in 2021. The Defence Industry Pathways Program SA will be focused on the nuclear powered submarine and naval shipbuilding and sustainment enterprises. The program enables a broad understanding of the various career pathways available in nuclear powered submarine program and naval shipbuilding and sustainment, whilst also providing vocational training across a number of critical skills areas required by defence industry.

Throughout the Program, trainees attend block training at TAFE SA campuses and gain valuable real-world experience with work placements within our defence industry partners scheduled throughout the program, preparing them for diverse and rewarding career pathways within the sector.

Recruitment, employment, placement with industry partners, mentoring and pastoral care for the trainees will be facilitated through PEER, as the Group Training Organisation (GTO). The model supports the trainees by providing flexibility to move between host employers for greater exposure to the sector and employment options without disruption to their studies.

Delivery of the Defence Industry Pathways Program in SA is co-designed with the South Australian Government. TAFE SA will support program participants with foundation knowledge training, while PEER will employ and manage trainees and facilitate relevant work placements with host employers in the nuclear powered submarine and naval shipbuilding and sustainment enterprises. The Program aims to create a valuable pathway into rewarding careers within the nuclear powered submarine, naval shipbuilding and sustainment enterprises in the defence industry.

The Defence Industry Pathways Program has rapidly established a reputation for excellence. In WA over the past three years, more than 100 trainees have graduated, with many now securing fulfilling full-time roles in the defence industry. Graduates of the program have gone on to secure a variety of positions, ranging from technical trades to business support roles. These roles include apprentice fabricators, electronics technicians, project administrators and health and safety advisors, reflecting the diverse career pathways available within the defence industry.

PEER, in partnership with the South Australian and Australian Governments, and industry, is pleased to announce the upcoming intake for the Defence Industry Pathways Program and Shipbuilding Employment Pathways. These initiatives aim to create valuable pathways into rewarding careers within the defence and shipbuilding sectors.

PEER Chief Executive Officer, Brian Rungie, is excited about this opportunity, stating “A skilled South Australian workforce is critical in meeting the current and future defence industry workforce requirements. PEER is extremely proud to be launching careers on this national endeavour.

Successful participants will develop valuable skills and knowledge that are in high demand within the defence sector. This is the chance to start your successful career in an exciting and dynamic field that will have a meaningful impact on our future.”

PEER has moved to a flexible approach to apprenticeship training, enabling apprentices to study at their own pace without the limitations of a structured classroom. The new training model is receiving positive feedback from both apprentices and employers, who are greatly appreciating the opportunity to have a flexible approach to trade school.

WorldSkills has been promoting the skills of young professionals in the trade industry for 40 years. This year, they have partnered with PEER to bring you the WorldSkills SA Championship competition.