After leaving James Hargest College Mark successfully applied to undertake the automotive pre apprenticeship course at the Southern Institute of Technology. During the course Mark did work experience several days a week and during this time made the decision that the automotive industry was not for him.

Mark elected instead to focus on the heavy fabrication engineering industry and was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training. He has been placed with Geo Wilson & Sons for his practical on job training.

His off job theory training is provided by the Southern Institute of Technology through weekly evening classes and a three week block course.

During any pre apprenticeship course students cover various health and safety requirements including first aid, safe use of hand tools and safe use of power tools all of which enables them to be safer in the workplace.

Employers prefer to employ people with a good understanding of the health and safety issues in the workplace and who are able to be useful from day one. The pre apprenticeship course also allows the student to demonstrate a good work ethic and an understanding of the need to be able to develop and maintain good timekeeping skills.