She Just Bit the Bullet – And Built a Trade Career

Ruby recently completed her mechanical fitter apprenticeship with MIGAS and host employer Shell QGC.

Her story is one of curiosity, persistence, and proof that you don’t need to have it all figured out to build a rewarding trade career.

When Ruby finished high school in Canberra, she knew one thing with certainty: a traditional university pathway wasn’t for her.

“I wasn’t the most studious kid,” Ruby said. “I did struggle sitting in the classroom and completing school tasks and assignments.”

What she did know was that she learned best by doing – and that when she moved north to Chinchilla to be closer to family, an opportunity was waiting.

She spotted MIGAS advertising apprenticeships and made a decision that would shape the next four years of her life.

“I just thought, you know, why not? I’m younger. I think I have the ability. And now I’m here.”

Why an Apprenticeship Made Sense

For Ruby, the appeal of an apprenticeship came down to a simple logic: you’re working, you’re earning, and you’re learning all at once.

“You’re getting two birds with one stone,” she explained. “I’m a hands-on sort of person.”

As a proud Bigambul woman – the Bigambul people are the Traditional Owners of the land where she works – Ruby’s connection to the region is personal.

Shell QGC operates in this area with respect to Country, and MIGAS’s Reconciliation Action Plan actively supports the creation of employment pathways that honour cultural heritage while opening doors to sustainable trade careers.

Ruby’s apprenticeship represents exactly the kind of outcome that partnership makes possible.

What the Work Actually Looks Like

Ruby’s trade put her to work on the large gas compression engines that power Shell QGC’s eight facilities scattered around Chinchilla. Her days start at 6am with a team pre-start – reviewing the previous day’s work and planning ahead – before heading out to site after gathering permits, tooling and PPE.

The work is detailed and physical: six-month engine services, spark plug replacements, valve checks, oil changes, and pump servicing. In Queensland’s summer heat, the team sets up shade where they can.

It’s practical, demanding work that requires both precision and physical endurance.

The physical demands were real from the start – heavy lifting, removing equipment parts, and tools requiring considerable strength. But Ruby found that showing a willingness to learn made all the difference.

“Most of the people that I’ve worked with have been really understanding. They’re willing to help and teach,” Ruby said.

“I think showing that willingness to learn and putting in the effort and having a good attitude has made it easier to connect and show that I am someone that they should share their knowledge and experience with.”

The Value of Rotating Teams

One feature of Shell QGC’s apprenticeship program that Ruby particularly values is the annual team rotation. Each year, she moved to a different team, learning different equipment and different ways of working.

“You’d get comfortable by the end of your first year, and you’re like, ‘Yep, I’ve got all my bases covered.’ And then you move again, and you learn something new,” Ruby said.

“I think that helps really build your character.”

Now Qualified – and Teaching Others

Ruby completed her mechanical fitter apprenticeship in November 2025. She’s since secured ongoing employment with Shell QGC – and now finds herself on the other side of the apprenticeship relationship, mentoring an apprentice herself.

“It’s really weird. He’s asking me questions, and I’m like, ‘Do I actually know that?’ And I just take a second to remember – I do know what I’m doing,” she said.

That moment – pausing, recalling, realising the knowledge is there – is exactly what an apprenticeship is designed to build. It takes time and repetition to stick, but it sticks.

When asked about her proudest achievement, Ruby doesn’t point to a single moment. It’s the accumulation that matters.

“For me, it’s like those little things – the fact that I know what I’m doing. They can send me to a job, like a six-month service on one of the engines, and I can go and do that.”

Ruby’s Advice: Just Do It

For anyone sitting on the fence about an apprenticeship, Ruby’s advice is straightforward:

“Just do it. I was a bit unsure myself, and I thought, you know, what’s the worst that can happen? And I just bit the bullet and did it.”

She’s clear that apprenticeships aren’t a consolation prize for people who didn’t make it to university. They’re a direct path into a career with real skills, real pay, and real prospects.

“It’s a good opportunity. It’s a good way to put your foot in the door to an industry and get that experience and knowledge,” she said.

Ruby’s goals from here are grounded and practical – finish her first full year as a qualified tradesperson and keep building experience. She’s already well on her way.

Ready to Start Your Trade Career?

If Ruby’s story sounds like a path worth exploring, MIGAS can help you find an apprenticeship that fits. We employ apprentices and trainees across a range of trades and connect them with host employers across Queensland and beyond.