The Spark Behind Sparket Cadet: Apprenticing in Australia’s Mining Industry
This story is part of our Skilled AF podcast series, spotlighting diverse and inspiring voices connected to the skilled trades & construction community.
Hayley Campbell, better known as Sparket Cadet, is a FIFO (fly-in, fly-out) high voltage (HV) electrical apprentice working in the mining industry in Brisbane, Australia. After a decade in hospitality, she took a leap at age 30 to chase a hands-on career in the trades—one of the best decisions of her life. Now, she’s thriving in a field she once thought was out of reach, proving that it’s never too late to rewrite your story. From working on massive equipment at a mining site to embracing her neurodivergence as a strength, Hayley’s journey is a powerful reminder that with the right mindset, support, and willingness to start over, anything is possible.
In this interview we cover:
Entering the Mining Industry – Hayley started in hospitality at 18 before transitioning into electrical work
Finding Electrical as a Career in Her 30s – After being laid off during COVID, she pursued an electrical apprenticeship despite initial doubts
Mining Innovation & Career Pathways – From massive Cat 7495 shovels to autonomous trucks, Hayley describes her work on cutting-edge mining tech and the foundational skillsets she’s learning that can take her into any industry
ADHD & Neurodivergence in the Trades – She shares her struggles with traditional education, her recent ADHD diagnosis, and why hands-on work suits neurodivergent minds
The Physical Demands & Benefits of Trade Work –Hayley debunks the myth that trades wreck your body, emphasizing strength, flexibility, and movement
Age Is Just a Number: Entering the Trades Later in Life – She highlights the value of mature apprentices and shares the story of a 52-year-old in her training
The Power of a Single Conversation – A chance encounter with a female tradeswoman set Hayley on her path, proving the impact of representation and that any interaction can matter
