Success Stories

Mentoring helps set course
Iesha Nimock-Anderson

STUDENTS are giving themselves a better start to their career of choice by seeking guidance from mentors.

The growing trend is leading to educational providers supplying mentors on staff and developing others through industry partnerships.

Sarina Russo Apprenticeship Services general manager Steve Wyborn said a mentor helped keep a student focused, positive and confident in their pursuit to complete study and/or workplace challenges.

''Mentoring can be as formal as developing a tailored plan with specific targets, objectives and tasks for the student to complete or it can be as informal as a discussion that provides them with feedback on issues of concern,'' Mr Wyborn said.

''(They can) provide guidance on matters that are causing a student concern or issues that may be derailing their education or reducing their achievement.''

Sarina Russo student Iesha Nimock-Anderson is studying a Certificate 3 in Administration and has had a mentor for three weeks.

Ms Nimock-Anderson works for the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian (CCYPCG) while her mentor Natalie Fraser works for Sarina Russo's Indigenous Mentoring Program.

''Natalie is a friend as well as a colleague so she offers a lot of good advice,'' Ms Nimock-Anderson said.

''It is good to have that external support through my traineeship and to help guide me as to what I do after my traineeship.'' Ms Nimock-Anderson's manager John Kyriakidis said it was important for trainees to be supported.

''We support her in terms of her day-to-day work duties and through the work she does with her training but it is also important to get that external support and advice in the workplace,'' he said.

''Iesha's confidence has been built up by doing that.'' Ms Fraser said she aimed to be a positive role model.

''We are assisting them in every way we can to get them through their first year because there is such a huge rate of people dropping out,'' Ms Fraser said.

''Iesha's workplace is very professional which can be intimidating but I can help normalise things for her and give her the confidence to know she is doing a fabulous job and does belong there.''

The Heir Apparent Apprentice
Luke Newman - Morningside

Keen skateboarder and graphic artist, Luke Newman is now 'clipping' his way to a new career as an apprentice barber at the Morningside Barbershop - an 'old-world' style barbershop. The 27 year old developed a love for the traditional barbershop during a skateboard safari in the USA. "I was living at this place next to a barbershop in the US and it dawned on me that I passionately wanted to be a barber.

"But the transition wasn't easy. Because I was in my mid-twenties, I was considered a mature aged apprentice on apprentice wages which meant moving back home with mum and dad. "But it's all been worthwhile. Tony's is an inspirational boss, the old-world barbershop is a great environment in which to work and everyday I'm learning something new about the trade. Morningside Barbershop owner, Mr Tony Tavner-Corner said it is all about attitude and Luke's got the right attitude to succeed in this industry.

Mr Mark Berlese, General Manager of Sarina Russo Apprenticeship Services said Luke is a great role people who want to enter a trade as a mature-aged apprentice. "Luke is fortunate he has a boss who understands the need to create a learning environment where Luke is treated as a learner, as well as a valuable employee. "If employers want employees who are better educated and more aware, they need to contribute to their learning.

"The apprenticeship system is an effective vehicle for work based learning which gives people an opportunity to do real work and receive real pay while undertaking relevant training which takes them another step along the route of their chosen career. Employers are now looking for ways to attract and retain bright, reliable and motivated people within their businesses to meet their skill demands. They realise that to ensure the quality and quantity of their workforce they need to employ Australian Apprentices and grow their own skilled workforce.

"Sarina Russo Apprenticeship Services' priority is to educate employers about the need for apprentices to complete their training. "Apprentices also have to be educated not to stop their apprenticeship for the lure of short-term, full-time money because the benefits of completing their trade will put them in a more advantageous position in the long-term," Mr Berlese said.

Engineering a Career in a Man's World
Holly Rasmussen - Icon Equipment

Fuelled by a mix of determination and enthusiasm, apprentice mechanical engineer Holly Rasmussen is beating the odds. Icon Equipment, Managing Director, David Perryman said female mechanical engineers were a rare breed and Holly was pioneering a successful career in the male dominated trade.

"It's all about attitude and Holly's got the right attitude to succeed in this industry. "I wish I could have two or three more apprentices like Holly," Mr Perryman said. Holly said she loves what she does and is thankful that Icon Equipment gave her a go. "I love a challenge and I'm determined to prove that I'm the best mechanical engineering apprentice that I can be, Holly said. Mr Mark Berlese, General Manager of Sarina Russo Apprenticeship Services said Holly is a great role model for women who want to enter traditionally male-dominated skilled trades.

"Holly is fortunate she has a boss who understands the need to create a learning environment where Holly is treated as a learner, as well as worker. "If employers want employees who are better educated and more aware, they need to contribute to their learning. "The apprenticeship system is an effective vehicle for work based learning which gives people an opportunity to do real work and receive real pay while undertaking relevant training which takes them another step along the route of their chosen career. "Employers are now looking for ways to attract and retain bright, reliable and motivated people within their businesses to meet their skill demands. They realise that to ensure the quality and quantity of tradespeople they need to employ Australian Apprentices and grow their own skilled workforce.

"Sarina Russo Apprenticeship Service's priority is to educate employers about the need for apprentices to complete their training. It is crucial to their business and basic numeracy. "Apprentices also have to be educated not to stop their apprenticeship for the lure of short-term, full-time money because the benefits of completing their trade will put them in a more advantageous position in the long-term," Mr Berlese said.

She's Better Than the Blokes
Sharp Welding - Capalaba

Female boilermakers are a rare breed and Mandy Van Ee is certainly blazing a successful trail for other women into this male dominated trade, according to Mr Lee Sharp, the owner of Sharp Welding at Capalaba. Mr Sharp said he wished he could have two or three more apprentices like Mandy. "She's fantastic! She's better than the blokes and she's proved boilermaking is not a male-only trade".

"Not only is she working in a male dominated trade but she has also successfully overcome a hearing impairment to get where she wants to be. "It's all about attitude and Mandy's got the right attitude to succeed in this industry," Mr Sharp said. Mandy said she loves what she does and is thankful that Sharp Welding gave her a go. "I love a challenge and I'm determined to prove that I'm the best boilermaker apprentice that I can be, Mandy said. Mr Kevin Jarick , General Manager of Sarina Russo Apprenticeship Services said Mandy is a great role model for women who want to enter traditionally male-dominated skilled trades.

"Mandy is fortunate she has a boss who understands the need to create a learning environment where Mandy is treated as a learner, as well as worker. "If employers want employees who are better educated and more aware, they need to contribute to their learning. "The apprenticeship system is an effective vehicle for work based learning which gives people an opportunity to do real work and receive real pay while undertaking relevant training which takes them another step along the route of their chosen career.

"Employers are now looking for ways to attract and retain bright, reliable and motivated people within their businesses to meet their skill demands. They realise that to ensure the quality and quantity of tradespeople they need to employ Australian Apprentices and grow their own skilled workforce. "SRAS's priority is to educate employers about the need for apprentices to complete their training. It is crucial to their business and basic numeracy. "Apprentices also have to be educated not to stop their apprenticeship for the lure of short-term, full-time money because the benefits of completing their trade will put them in a more advantageous position in the long-term," Mr Jarrick said.

Local Apprentices Set Sail
Coral Coast Marine Constructions

FOUR local apprentices are setting sail on a new career after being hired by local Bundaberg ship builder Coral Coast Marine Constructions according to Mr Chris Kettle an Industry Consultant at Sarina Russo Apprenticeship Services. Mr Kettle said an Australian Apprenticeship is a first-rate career option which will deliver professional, financial and personal rewards.

Robert Goode, owner of Coral Coast Marine Constructions, said it is all about attitude and any apprentice needs the right attitude to succeed in this industry. "Local businesses are starting to realise that to ensure the quality and quantity of tradespeople you need to employ an Australian Apprentice and grow your own," Mr Goode said "New apprentice Hayden Goode is starting his marine craft construction apprenticeship and says he loves what he does and it is wonderful to follow in his father's footsteps as a boat builder. "I love a challenge and I'm determined to prove that I'm the best marine craft construction apprentice that I can be," Hayden said. Mr Kettle said the immediate demand, plus the expected long-term demand for skills provides tradespeople with employment sustainability and fantastic career opportunities.

"These days of 4% unemployment will not last forever and an apprenticeship gives you the options to branch out into other areas."We must persuade young people, their parents and teachers that an apprenticeship is a first rate career option and can be a stepping stone to owning your own business or progressing through to senior management positions."Employers like Coral Coast Marine Constructions must be commended because they understand the benefits of investing in training."Sarina Russo Apprenticeship Services is a free service to employers, apprentices and those wanting to undertake a trade."We help sign up new Australian Apprentices, pay employer incentives and Australian Apprenticeship allowances, assist with workplace training to completion and lodge of all the necessary paperwork," Mr Kettle said.