Qualification: Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade
Host Business: GEMCO, Groote Eylandt
RTO: CDU
Sidney Huggett is completing her Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade with South32-GEMCO on Groote Eylandt. She chose an apprenticeship because it suited her hands-on learning style and offered a clear pathway to a rewarding career.
“𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙩𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛, 𝙄 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙄 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙩. 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙙𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙄 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙖𝙨 𝙄 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙧 𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙝 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙨𝙤 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙚𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜.”
Throughout her apprenticeship, Sidney has grown both professionally and personally, learning from experienced tradespeople who have challenged and inspired her.
As the only female in the workshop, she initially felt intimidated, but through persistence, hard work, and quality results, she earned the trust and respect of her colleagues. Now thriving in a collaborative environment, Sidney values the diverse skills and techniques she continues to learn from her team.
With the support of mentors and her own determination, Sidney is committed to becoming the best tradeswoman she can be. Her achievements include Runner-Up for Outstanding Apprentice – Stage 2 in 2024, and Winner for Outstanding Apprentice – Stage 3 in 2025 at the GTNT Group Awards. Most recently, she was a finalist for the Master Builders NT EBC Awards – Mechanical Apprentice of the Year.
