Damian attended secondary school at Gore High School before being employed in a number of jobs. He worked as a labourer in a sheetmetal workshop and was offered promotion into an apprenticeship through Southern Group Training. Damian spent his apprenticeship on secondment with Scott Sheetmetal.

To complete the Level 4 National Certificate in Light Fabrication Engineering Damian had to complete a range of unit standards comprising both theory and practical elements. Damian’s off job theory training was provided by S.I.T through his attendance at evening class and through a three week block course each year.

Regular attendance at evening class is extremely important as apprentices need to complete the theory component of each unit standard before they can be workplace assessed in the practical components. Establishing and maintaining a good study habit is necessary if apprentices are to complete their qualification in the optimum time frame. Failure to do so can significantly prolong the length of time it takes to complete an apprenticeship .