Newa, a qualified spengler from a small Swiss mountain village, joined Architectural Roofing and Wall Cladding in June 2025 through the Switzerland-Australia Trainee Exchange Visa program. With a strong background in copper roofing, she has brought valuable skills to Australia while adapting to new materials, standards, and work environments.
Her journey reflects both professional growth and personal discovery – balancing the challenges of working abroad with the rewards of exploring a new lifestyle. In this Q&A, Newa shares her experience transitioning from Switzerland to Australia and what she’s learned along the way.
Transitioning to Australia
Q. What was the process like getting started in your trade in Australia?
A. It was a smooth transition. Journeyman helped with my visa, and ARC also supported me throughout the process.
Q. Did you need to complete any additional training or certifications?
A. Yes, I completed the White Card and Working at Heights courses.
Q. What challenges did you face when you first started working here?
A. The language barrier, especially understanding different accents, was challenging. Also, Sydney is very large, so travelling to job sites took some adjustment.
Q. How did you adapt to Australian work standards and safety requirements?
A. There are more formal processes here, such as online site inductions. It also took time to get used to the presence of supervisors and strict PPE requirements.
Current Experience in Australia
Q. What does a typical workday look like for you?
A. We start at 7:00 am with a team meeting to plan the day. Some days I focus on measuring and ordering materials; other days I spend the entire day installing.
Q. What types of projects have you worked on here?
A. I’ve worked on a range of projects. I started on a large site in Vaucluse, installing double seam panels across three buildings, and now I work across various residential and commercial sites.
Q. What are the biggest differences between working here and in your home country?
A. Work hours are shorter in Australia (7:00 am to 3:30 pm compared to 7:00 am to 5:30 pm in Switzerland). ARC is a large company; it is new to me that you only work on site and do not have to prepare the roof sheets yourself.
Q. What do you enjoy most about working in Australia?
A. Many job sites are in beautiful locations, such as Darling Harbour and coastal areas. Sometimes we even have lunch at the beach, which is a great experience.
Q. What has been the most challenging part of your job here?
A. Ensuring very precise measurements. In Australia, there is a stronger focus on visual finish and detail, whereas Switzerland tends to be more practical.
Personal Background
Q. Where are you from originally from?
A. I’m from Switzerland, from a small village in the mountains.
Q. When did you move to Australia?
A. June 2025.
Q. What motivated you to move overseas?
A. I was looking for new work opportunities and a different life experience.
Q. What were your first impressions of Australia?
A. It was quite different from what I expected. I landed in Perth and it was cold and rainy, which surprised me. But that changed quickly – I’ve found Australia to be beautiful, with friendly people and unique wildlife.
Previous Experience (Overseas)
Q. How long have you been working as a Roof Plumber/Spengler (or in a similar trade)?
A. I completed a 4-year apprenticeship before coming to Australia.
Q. What kind of roofing work did you do in your home country?
A. Mainly steep roofs, gutters, window flashings, and standing seam roofing.
Q. What types of materials and systems were you experienced with before coming to Australia?
A. Mostly copper, stainless steel, and aluminium.
Q. How does the roofing industry in your home country differ from Australia?
A. It depends on the region. In the mountains, there are strict roofing standards due to heavy snowfall in winter.
Q. What were some challenges you faced while working in Switzerland?
A. Working in extreme weather conditions – for example, sometimes installing roofing in up to 20cm of snow.
Workplace & Team Experience
Q. How would you describe the team you work with?
A. It’s a young, multicultural team, and I really enjoy working with them.
Q. What support have you received from your employer?
A. There is always support available – I can ask senior team members whenever I have questions.
Q. How important is teamwork in your role?
A. Very important. We often work in teams of 2-6 people, so strong teamwork is essential.
Q. Can you share a memorable experience working with your team?
A. One memorable experience was installing 20-metre-long double seam roof sheets. It took a team of seven people to complete the installation.
Skills & Growth
Q. What new skills have you learned since working in Australia?
A. I’ve learned new techniques and how to use different machinery and tools that I had previously only seen but not used extensively.
Q. How has this experience helped you grow professionally?
A. It has broadened my experience and skill set. I think I’ll fully realise the impact of this growth when I return home.
Lifestyle & Personal Experience
Q. How has living in Australia impacted your lifestyle?
A. I’ve become more relaxed and tend to take each day as it comes.
Q. What do you like to do outside of work?
A. I enjoy going to the beach, hiking, and climbing. I also travel a lot and spend as much time outdoors as possible.
Q. What do you enjoy the most about living here?
A. The beaches, the ocean, the friendly people, and the generally great weather.
Q. What has been the hardest part about living away from home?
A. Not being able to share these experiences with my friends and family.
Advice & Future Plans
Q. What advice would you give to overseas workers considering coming to Australia?
A. Just do it – you have nothing to lose.
Q. What are your career goals for the future?
A. I plan to return home, go back to my previous company, enjoy skiing in winter, and see what opportunities come next.
Q. Do you see yourself staying in Australia long-term?
A. Not at the moment, but I’m sure I’ll come back in the future.
Closing
Q. Is there anything else you’d like to share about your journey or experience?
A. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to be here. It’s been a great experience, and it’s been a pleasure working with a company like ARC.
Interested in creating your own journey?
Get in touch with ARC today!
