Testimonials
Liam Janetzki - WorldSkills International Competition Silver Medal Winner 2011 - Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Apprenticeships and traineeships are not just about getting a trade/qualification.
Liam (right), a refrigeration mechanic, recently represented Australia by competing in the WorldSkills* International Competition in London. He was ranked second best in the world in his trade.
'WorldSkills Australia has helped me greatly. It has shown me how to deal with stress in any situation whether on the job or in my personal life'.
Liam took an interest in electronics through a friend who was completing an apprenticeship in the trade and recommended Liam take a similar path. According to Liam, working in a trade has 'helped him grow in confidence and has helped him to develop his personal interests'.
In his job, Liam likes the variety of equipment and job sites he gets to work on, 'no one site is ever the same'.
Keen to learn more and gain extra qualifications, Liam would like to become dual trade qualified by getting his full electrical ticket. Further down the track and later in his career, Liam would like to do an electrical engineering course.
*WorldSkills is a national not-for-profit organisation that provides young Australians with the opportunity to gain new skills, compete against their peers in their chosen trade and fast track their skills and career development.
Cassandra Rowan
Cassandra Rowan was named the Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year for Metropolitan Region at the 2011 Queensland Training Awards for her recently completed apprenticeship in Electrotechnology Systems Electrician with HeyDay Group Pty Limited.
Cassandra says that participating in an apprenticeship gave her a good balance between work and college. 'At work I learned 'what things did and how they worked' and at college I learned 'why' things happened'.'Doing an apprenticeship taught me real life values and gave me a sense of determination. I had to succeed, being a female in a male dominated industry'. Cassandra says that women wanting to work in traditionally male dominated fields should not be discouraged from breaking down the barriers.
Cassandra has recently commenced a dual traineeship in Diploma of Business/Management in order to further her career in the electrotechnology industry.
Ben Meader
Ben Meader, a nominee for the Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year in the 2011 Queensland Training Awards, recently completed his apprenticeship in Carpentry with Angus Cowan Constructions Pty Ltd.
Ben, who previously completed a Warehousing traineeship, chose to move into the building industry after he started renovating his house and realised he enjoyed it.
Ben relished many aspects of the apprenticeship including learning new things and being able to constantly sharpen his skills. 'There was a variety of jobs and you were always working on something different in different places'. Ben also enjoyed the camaraderie amongst the tradespeople he worked with.
While completing his apprenticeship, Ben also studied Certificate IV in Carpentry three nights a week in order to get his builder's certification. In the future he plans to set up his own crew.
Ben says that completing his apprenticeship gave him a great sense of achievement and encourages others who are interested in commencing an apprenticeship to 'give it a go. It is what you make it. I'm still enjoying every minute of it after four years'.