Jacob attended St Peters College for three years before securing work at Scott Sheetmetal as an engineering labourer. Jacob spent several months in the workforce during which time the company was able to ascertain his suitability to be considered for an apprenticeship, and he was able to make a more informed decision as to whether a career in engineering was for him.

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Jacob was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training and seconded to Scott Sheetmetal. The practical elements of his qualification are taught on the job and through annual three weekly block courses at the Southern Institute of Technology.

The theory elements are taught through weekly evening classes. Once Jacob has completed the theory assessment for a unit standard he is then able to be assessed in the practical elements, providing that he is able to prove that he is competent in the various tasks.

To achieve practical competency Jacob must 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.