From office to on tools

FROM OFFICE TO ON TOOLS Brooke Schmalkuchen is proud to be one of the few qualified women gasfitters in New Zealand.

Brooke Schmalkuchen initially worked in the office for Auckland-based firm Gas Appliance Specialists, but she always wanted to be out doing the job. One day, when one of the workers called in sick, she got her chance and has never looked back.

“I gave the boss a hand and I absolutely loved it. At first, he thought I was joking when I said I wanted to do this, but he took me on. It has worked out really well for me.”

The 26-year-old passed her National Certificate in Gasfitting in September after beginning her Masterlink apprenticeship at Gas Appliance Specialists in 2015. She is now licensed and specialises in gas appliances.

“I really like the problemsolving involved and meeting all the different people,” she says. “The job is quite complex. You sort of go through a process of elimination first and then it gets really technical.”

Brooke feels women have a lot more to prove in the industry and says it is challenging not being treated the same as the men. “It actually makes you work that extra bit harder. It is a good feeling when you can do the job just as well as the guys and sometimes better. What I do is very intricate and you need a lot of patience.”

She encourages other young women who like working with their hands and solving problems to consider a career as a gasfitter. “It is great. I have loved every minute AUTHOR: PETER WHITE

Licensed gasfitter Brooke Schmalkuchen works at Gas Appliance Specialists, based in Auckland’s Blockhouse Bay. Photograph by Logan West. of it. It is definitely very rewarding. You can’t be afraid to get dirty and crawl under houses and things. But it is just awesome.

“If I could give myself some advice five years ago, I would remind myself I don’t know everything and I would continue to learn. It was a big thing for me as I got quite discouraged and found it difficult at first—but the more I kept putting in the work, the easier it became. So just be patient and put the hard work in.”

“At first, he thought I was joking when I said I wanted to do this, but he took me on.”

BROOKE SCHMALKUCHEN Gas Appliance Specialists

Brooke found support from her Masterlink Regional Manager Colin Kilpatrick, and her tutor at the Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) also helped her stay on track. As for future prospects, Brooke says it is a great time to get into the industry.

“You always need plumbers, you always need gasfitters. You can go anywhere in the world and do this. My job can’t be replaced by a robot.”

Text from an article that first appeared in Issue #19 of Leaving School magazine from Oliver Lee Publications. www.oliverlee.co.nz