After completing his secondary schooling at Southland Boys High School, Daniel successfully applied to undertake the engineering pre apprenticeship programme at the Southern Institute of Technology. In early 2008 he was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training and has been placed with Quality Sheetmetal for his practical on job training.

To complete the Level 4 National Certificate in Light Fabrication Engineering Daniel must complete a range of unit standards comprising both theory and practical elements. Daniel’s off job theory training has been provided by the Southern Institute of Technology through his attendance at weekly 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.