Australia's construction industry is in the midst of a skills shortage but, for some of those training to fill the gaps, making ends meet is a challenge.
Mother of three Summer Hodge is a second-year mature-age apprentice and has left her career in accounting behind to get on the tools.
"I love being outdoors … I'm not stuck in an office with four walls and every day is something different," Ms Hodge said.
"You're not doing the same month, the same tax return."
In the plumbing industry, apprentice wages start at just $16.13 per hour for people who have completed year 12 and are aged under 21. That only goes up to $24.20 per hour if you're a mature-age apprentice.
Ms Hodge works hard to juggle being a mother with training to be a plumber.
She said that the combination of low wages and the increase in the cost of living is deterring people from considering taking up an apprenticeship later in life.
"If you're [currently] on a good wage, you wouldn't stop to be an apprentice," Ms Hodge said.
She's only able to get by through sacrifice and support from her family.
"You just don't go out for dinner, not that we go out for dinner … but you know, our house insurance has just gone up by $1,700 compared to last year," Ms Hodge said.
"Mum or sometimes my mother-in-law does school pick-up, the two kids are with my mum today.
"If I had sent two kids to vacation care every day, it's horrendously expensive — it wouldn't be worth my time working.
"We're lucky that we do have people to...
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