After completing his secondary schooling at James Hargest College Ben worked in a variety of roles before successfully applying, in late 2006, to Southern Group Training for an engineering apprenticeship.

He has been placed with Wilson Bros Engineering for his on job practical training.

To complete the Level 4 National Certificate in Maintenance & Diagnostics Engineering Ben must complete a range of unit standards comprising both theory and practical elements.

The theory elements are taught through weekly evening classes.

Once Ben has completed the theory assessment for a unit standard he is then able to be assessed in the practical elements, provided that he is able to prove that he is competent in the various tasks.

To achieve practical competency he has to be able to complete the required practical tasks consistently well, unsupervised, in a commercial timeframe, using safe work practices.

This level of competency is gained through practical work experience on job and through a series of block courses.