From family trade to the WorldSkills stage

For Deanna, plastering isn’t just a job, it’s a craft that runs deep in her family. She comes from a long line of tradespeople. Her grandfather opened a plastering business in 1973 where her dad and uncle worked.
“I grew up around plastering,” she says. “My dad used to take me to job sites before school. I’d watch him work and I just absorbed everything.”

While the traditional classroom wasn’t where she thrived, working with her hands came naturally.

“School wasn’t really for me, so I thought I better start making some money. I got into plastering, and I loved it.”

Gaining the fundamental skills

Her passion for the trade led her to study at CIT, where her skills quickly advanced beyond the basics. At work, she focused mostly on repairs and renovations, but CIT opened the door to more creative and technical projects.

“We don’t do many new builds at work, so CIT has been really great. I’ve been able to practice things I don’t usually get to do, like creating ornate corners or working with moulds.”

One standout project was helping build a replica of the iconic Canberra bus shelters. “We made moulds, cast them and even used horsehair in the mix,” she explains. “It was really tedious work, but I also absolutely loved it.”

Stepping onto the WorldSkills stage

Deanna’s attention to detail and love for the craft didn’t go unnoticed. Her CIT teacher, Scotty, encouraged her to enter WorldSkills Australia, a national competition showcasing the best young tradespeople in Australia.

“I was really excited to get involved,” she says. “My workplace had participated before and spoke highly of it, so when my time came, I jumped at the chance.”

Preparing for WorldSkills Australia meant refining her speed, confidence and accuracy.

“It’s all about efficiency,” she says. “You have to know your process inside and out. If you rush that when mistakes happen.”

Building confidence and making connections

While the competition is intense, Deanna sees it as a valuable learning experience.

“WorldSkills has pushed me to be better,” she reflects. “It’s shown me what I’m capable of and helped me build confidence in my work.”

She’s especially looking forward to connecting with other like-minded tradespeople and professionals at the event.

“I’m hoping to get my name out there. You never know who you’ll meet, future employers, mentors or even international opportunities.”

Advice for future competitors and tradies

To others considering a trade or thinking of participating in a WorldSkills Australia competition, Deanna’s says:

“Take pride in your work and figure out what’s right for you. Everyone has their own way of doing things, but learning the correct methods at CIT has been so important for me. Make the most of every opportunity, especially ones like WorldSkills.”

Learn more about studying a trade at CIT.