From Thailand to Melbourne: Chutikan’s Journey in Construction

A New Path in Australia

When Chutikan Promprasit arrived in Melbourne from Thailand four years ago, she was seeking better opportunities and a fresh start. With a background in the airline industry and technical experience from trade school back home, she knew she had the skills and determination to succeed—but she needed to find the right pathway in Australia.

Like many international students, Chutikan began with an English language course, then pursued a Diploma of Business. However, she quickly realized that office work wasn’t for her. “I’m not like a business woman. It’s a bit boring,” she reflects. “It’s fun when you make money, but then it comes to meetings and documents. I wanted to skip to the making money part!”

Rediscovering Her Passion for Hands-On Work

What led Chutikan back to construction was her own history. In Thailand, after completing high school, she chose trade school instead of university—an unconventional decision in a country where most young people pursue higher education. She studied Aircraft Technology, learning about aircraft electronics, measuring, and various technical skills.

“I always loved hands-on work,” she explains. “Back in my trade school, we had workshops in the first semester with lots of practical work. I did welding, grinding, and metal sheet folding. I’ve always been hands-on. I just love that.”

When her migration agent noticed Chutikan wasn’t enjoying business studies, she recommended carpentry. “She looked at my background and said, ‘I don’t think you’re going to enjoy this as much.’ She was right! So she suggested carpentry, and I decided to try it.”

Finding Orange College

With her agent’s recommendation, Chutikan discovered Orange College. Before officially enrolling, she attended the Orange College Build and Drive Trade Expo in 2023—an experience that proved invaluable.

“We saw the school, the workshop, the factory itself, the environment you’re going to work in,” she recalls. “It was helpful because you actually see the environment, the tools, and what you’re going to learn. I went to a workshop with Deon, who showed us everything. It was nice to see what I was getting into.”

Starting her CPC30620 Certificate III in Painting and Decorating in February 2024, Chutikan found supportive trainers who believed in her potential. “The trainers here are really good. Daniel was my main trainer, and he’s very nice, really lovely. He’s super supportive. If you ask him anything, he explains it step by step. A little bit of Damian too—he’s so funny and chill.”

As one of few women in the program, Chutikan felt completely included. “I don’t feel anything different about being a woman. My classmates were fun and lovely—they supported me.”

Learning the Trade, Building Confidence

The course content provided Chutikan with a solid foundation, though she understood that real learning comes from experience. “Orange College gave me a good base, but it really depends on you,” she reflects. “Everything depends on how much you can pick up. They teach you, they show you, but if you don’t pay attention, that’s on you.”

She appreciated the practical focus: “I learned technique, how to use hand tools, the way you think, the way you apply things. On work sites, you apply what you’ve learned differently because every project is different, but the foundation from Orange helped me.”

Currently, Chutikan is completing her CPC50220 Diploma of Building and Construction in September, while working full-time at B4 Build, a commercial and domestic builder.

Finding Work Through Networking

Chutikan’s journey to her current role demonstrates the value of being open, approachable, and willing to start a conversation.

While working as a cashier at a market, she noticed a regular customer who always arrived early, wore trade boots, and carried folding rulers. “I thought to myself, there’s no way he’s not in the trades,” she laughs.

One day, Chutikan struck up a conversation with him. That customer is now her supervisor. “I told him I was studying Painting and Decorating and was finishing my diploma. He mentioned he had a new commercial project and was looking for people. I’ve now been working with him for almost a year, and we’re still on the same project. It’s been a great experience.”

A Supportive Work Environment

At B4 Build, Chutikan works in a close-knit team alongside her Irish supervisor and the owner’s nephew.

“Being a woman doesn’t make much difference,” she says. “Of course, there’s a physical difference. I’m shorter, so sometimes I can fit into spaces that others can’t, which actually works to my advantage. My supervisor is great at matching the right person to the right task. If something requires extra height, he’ll set up scaffolding or allocate a different job. It’s all about working as a team and making sure everyone can do their best work.”

She’s acutely aware of how fortunate she is. “I’ve heard a lot of women working in building and construction say their experience wasn’t supportive. But I never experienced that. The whole team is lovely, supportive, and professional. My leading hand is everyone’s favourite—a nice person and great professional, I feel really lucky I found a good job”

Breaking Barriers: Women in Trades

Chutikan’s presence in the construction industry challenges outdated assumptions about who belongs in trades. In Thailand, where she grew up, pursuing a trade career was uncommon for women—university was the default path. Her decision to study Aircraft Technical was already unconventional. Now, thriving in construction in Australia, she’s proof that trades are for everyone.

“Being a woman in construction is not a limitation—it’s an advantage,” she asserts. “Women are often more precise, better with details. We have really good eyes—we see tiny details that others miss. It’s not just about strength; it’s about using your brain, being precise, good with details. Women naturally work great at that.”

She challenges the tired stereotype that construction is a “man’s job.” “If you like your craft, it’s not limited to men. If you want to do it, just do it. I love what I do, and my gender hasn’t stopped me. Actually, some of our male colleagues are very strong, and that’s good too—but strength alone doesn’t make a good tradesperson. Attention to detail, precision, problem-solving, and technique matter just as much.”

This perspective is crucial as Australia faces a skilled trades shortage. Expanding opportunities for women in construction, painting, carpentry, and related fields isn’t just about equality—it’s about bringing diverse talent, perspectives, and problem-solving approaches into an industry that desperately needs skilled workers.

Advice for Women in Construction

Chutikan’s message to women considering trades is simple, powerful, and rooted in her real experience: “Just try it. Just go for it. The first impression might not be as good, and it depends who you work with. But don’t stop if you really want to try—give it a couple of chances.”

She knows that finding the right workplace matters. “Not every site will be supportive, and that’s okay. If a workplace isn’t right for you, try another one. There are good ones out there. Keep looking, keep trying. The right fit will value you for your skills, not your gender.”

For women hesitating about entering trades, she has a direct message: “Don’t let anyone tell you it’s not for you. If you like working with your hands, if you enjoy seeing tangible results of your work, if you want job security and good pay—trades are for you. Women are entering construction, plumbing, electrical, painting, and every other trade. We belong here, we’re succeeding, and we’re changing the industry for the better.”

Advice for International Students

For students just beginning their journey, Chutikan emphasizes: “Attend the expos if you get a chance—they’re free. You can see the environment, meet trainers, see the tools, understand the setup. Pay attention in class, even when it seems like nothing’s happening. Study small details, especially with trade work. Learn something every day, and don’t look back wishing you studied harder. If you’re going to do it, do it well. Or don’t do it at all.”

Looking Forward

With her diploma completion just months away, Chutikan continues working on commercial and domestic renovation projects across Melbourne. Her journey—from airline worker to business student to carpenter to skilled tradesperson—proves that with determination, openness to new opportunities, and genuine engagement in learning, meaningful career transformation is possible.