Finding a career that clicked

When Khai Bailey was finishing school, a career in engineering seemed like the obvious choice.

Like other members of his family, he had an aptitude for maths and physics and expected to follow a similar path. But the 27-year-old Launceston local soon realised he was destined for other things.

“A family friend introduced me to Work & Training and I completed a career assessment to see which occupations might suit me best,” Khai said. “They asked whether I like to work on the move and if I’m a logical or creative thinker. In the end, I wasn’t surprised they suggested electrical, and I decided to go down that route.”

Work & Training helped Khai secure an apprenticeship, which he completed through placements with Progress Switchboards and IFE. The experience exposed him to different parts of the electrical trade and helped him develop the practical skills and technical knowledge he still relies on today.

“I learnt a lot during that period. About metalwork, wiring, teamwork, interpreting plans and problem solving,” he said. “I also learnt a lot about the switchboard side of the trade which is definitely still useful to me today.”

After completing his apprenticeship, Khai spent four years working as a qualified electrician before deciding he was ready for a new challenge.

“I just wanted the independence,” he said. “After four years completing an apprenticeship and then four years as a tradie, becoming a sole trader felt like the logical next step.”

Today, Khai travels between jobs across northern Tasmania in his distinctively branded Denki Co ute.

Although launching a business has brought plenty of hard work, it’s also given Khai the freedom to shape his own future. His reputation has grown quickly over the first few months, with much of his work now coming through referrals.

“I started off door knocking, but I haven’t had to do it since because it’s just been word of mouth,” he said. “It’s great. I love meeting clients, doing a good job and seeing them happy with the result. It’s always good when they call you back to do more work.”

Keen at some point to employ his own team, Khai is well positioned to offer advice to young people considering a trade.

“I’d say the less you know about it, the better. Then the tradies that teach you will know exactly where you’re at. There’s no need to be scared about starting if you don’t know anything. That’s like the perfect person to employ as a first-year apprentice, I’d say. Fresh from the start and keen to learn.”

Khai says the appeal of the trade has never changed. Working with his hands and seeing tangible results gives him a level of satisfaction that a job behind a desk could never match.

“There’s still plenty of theory, but it’s also very hands-on, which is satisfying for me. You can see a visible change at the end of the day. It’s just more satisfying to me, seeing the results of something that you’ve done entirely by yourself. Nothing beats that.”