Blair successfully applied to undertake the engineering pre apprenticeship course at the Southern Institute of Technology after completing his secondary schooling at James Hargest College. At the completion of the course in late 2004 Blair was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training and has been placed on secondment with New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Ltd.

To complete the Level 4 National Certificate in Maintenance & Diagnostics Engineering Blair must complete a range of unit standards comprising both theory and practical elements. Blair’s off job theory training has been provided by S.I.T through his attendance at weekly evening classes and a three week block course each year.

Those apprentices who successfully completed their pre trade course , which covers the Level 2 requirements of their qualification, find themselves able to continue on in the third year of their apprenticeship and complete the Level 5 National Certificate which is the equivalent of the old Advanced Trade Certificate qualification.