Success in the modern workforce is rarely a perfectly straight line. While traditional educational pathways often push students toward university degrees, some of the most rewarding and lucrative careers in the building and construction trades are discovered entirely by chance. This is the reality for Bailey Govett, a 22-year-old from Dora Creek who stumbled into a career as a bricklayer and recently landed a major industry award. Now, he is using his platform to urge young locals in the Hunter region to consider a career 'on the tools' and discover the opportunities waiting within the vocational education and training (VET) sector.
The accidental discovery of a lifelong passion
The journey into the building trades is often stereotyped as a lifelong dream or a generational inheritance. For Mr. Govett, however, the path was less direct. He originally had dreams of becoming a carpenter, but after deciding his first career choice wasn't for him, he fell into bricklaying.
What began as a chance decision quickly transformed into a deeply satisfying craft. "If you're a hands-on person who's not really into books and studying, a trades career is a great option that could set you up for life," Mr. Govett shared. "It's a job that keeps you physically fit and you get to see the fruits of your labour after each day's work."
Recognising the potential of his new path, Mr. Govett formalised his skills by enrolling in a Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying (CPC33020) at TAFE NSW Newcastle, while working as a third-year apprentice with Crouch Bricklaying. This transition from trying out a trade to becoming a dedicated apprentice is a critical step in professionalising the workforce.
Excellence in vocational training and award-winning success
The decision to pursue formal vocational education routinely proves to be transformative. TAFE NSW provides practical experience in a highly supportive environment, allowing apprentices to refine their craft safely before taking it to the job site.
"The TAFE NSW classroom is more forgiving if you make a mistake than if you're working on-site," Mr. Govett explained. "My teacher is so experienced in the industry and has become a real mentor."
That dedication to excellence recently culminated in prestigious recognition: Mr. Govett was crowned Apprentice of the Year at the Bricklayer Contractors Australia Annual Awards. "I couldn't believe I'd won it and it just made me feel so recognised," he said. The award serves as profound validation of his technical proficiency, resilience, and potential as a future leader within the construction sector.
Addressing the critical skills shortage in construction
Mr. Govett's call to "get on the tools" comes at a critical time. The construction industry is grappling with a severe skills shortage. According to the National Bricklaying Apprenticeship Status Report, the number of bricklaying apprenticeships would need to double just to meet current industry demand.
TAFE NSW Newcastle Head Teacher of Bricklaying, David Lange-Smith, congratulated his student on the award and joined him in urging young people to consider a career as a bricklayer. As Mr. Govett notes, "The construction industry will always be around and there's such a shortage of skilled tradespeople here right now."
By urging locals to consider a career in bricklaying, this award-winning apprentice is directly addressing an economic imperative. Getting on the tools is no longer just a personal career choice; it is an active contribution to solving one of the most pressing infrastructural challenges facing the region today.
The pathway to entrepreneurship and financial independence
Beyond the immediate benefits of steady employment, a qualification in bricklaying opens the door to broader opportunities. Mr. Govett notes that his award has further fuelled his confidence to build a long-term career in the trade.
"My Certificate III in Bricklaying at TAFE NSW will open up other avenues for me, including potentially working as a building supervisor or in project management," he said. "I'd also like to open my own bricklaying business one day."
This level of autonomy highlights the true value of vocational education. For someone who entered the trade "by accident," the eventual outcome can be total financial independence and the pride of being a local business leader. As the Hunter region looks toward the future, the message from this Apprentice of the Year is clear: the opportunities in the building and construction trades are boundless, and the time to start laying the foundation for a successful career is right now.
