Jeff completed his secondary education at Menzies College and began study towards the Level 2 National Certificate in Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering at the Southern Institute of Technology in 2001.

Mid way through the pre apprenticeship course Jeff was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training and seconded to E Type Engineering where he was taught the practical skills. The theory elements are taught through weekly evening classes. While Jeff did not have the preferred level of maths competency, NCEA Level 1 and 2, he worked hard to bring himself up to speed with the mathematical requirements.

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

To achieve practical competency Jeff had 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 which encompass both theory and practical elements.