Abbey Paxton believes she made the right decision leaving the care sector for a hands-on trade career as artificial intelligence reshapes Australia’s workforce.

Paxton took up carpentry at age 26 after deciding she wanted a more hands-on and practical future — a move she now describes as life-changing.

A serious horse-riding accident helped push her towards the career switch, while growing up around her father Darren Paxton’s building business also planted the seed early.

“We wanted to start renovating and get those dreams in motion,” Ms Paxton said.

Her career change is now being highlighted by TAFE NSW as part of a campaign encouraging Australians to consider practical, job-ready industries amid major workforce changes.

Recent reports have warned artificial intelligence is increasingly affecting white-collar industries including administration, publishing, finance and entry-level technology roles, while skilled trades continue facing worker shortages across Australia.

Women also remain heavily under-represented in the construction sector, despite growing calls to encourage more females into trades.

Ms Paxton, 30,  began her carpentry apprenticeship four years ago and completed it last year while raising two young children.

During a recent interview at a Brooklet renovation project, she proudly showed Ballina News Daily through a major transformation involving a shed conversion, stables and extensive improvements to a heritage timber rural home.

The work included replacing damaged cladding, rebuilding structural sections, restoring timber decking, installing new footings and detailed finishing work throughout the property.

As she walked through the site explaining each stage, it was obvious she took enormous pride in the meticulous craftsmanship and detail involved.

“It was such a nice job,” she said while pointing out recycled timber boards and restored features.

Ms Paxton now works with her father’s Ballina/Byron-based company Arc Build, while also beginning to branch into independent renovation projects of her own.

Ms Paxton admits some aspects of the trade can be physically demanding, particularly heavy lifting jobs involving large beams and framing work.

“I feel like realistically I’m not as strong as a male, and when it gets to some of that really heavy stuff, I think maybe I need to go to the gym,” she laughed.

But she said her active lifestyle made the work a natural fit.

“I like physical stuff. I like to stay active, so for me it’s my dream job,” she said.

Ms Paxton continued working on-site until about the eighth month of her most recent pregnancy and said staying active had always been part of her daily life.

“I’m tending to my horses every day, I’m surfing — it’s just my life,” she said.

She said while carpentry would not suit everyone, it had proven the perfect fit for someone who enjoyed practical work, problem-solving and staying active outdoors.

As for the future, Abbey plans to expand her skills by taking on further qualifications in welding.

Her father Darren said qualified welders were increasingly hard to find, underlining the strong demand for practical trade skills.