Having completed his secondary schooling at Menzies College Mark successfully applied to undertake the electrical pre apprenticeship course at the Southern Institute of Technology. In 2005 he was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training and is currently on placement with New Zealand Aluminium Smelters.

To complete the Level 4 National Certificate in Electrical Engineering Mark must complete a range of unit standards comprising both theory and practical elements. Marks’s off job theory training has been provided by S.I.T through his attendance at evening class and through a two week block course each year.

An apprenticeship offers the opportunity to gain a tertiary qualification at Level 4 without needing to take on a student debt. Apprentices are paid as they learn. Southern Group Training, as employer, pays for Mark’s Training Manual, his evening class and block course fees, and pays him while he is attending his annual two week block course. Travel and accommodation costs for block courses held outside Southland are also covered.

Southern Group Training also provides its apprentices with their protective equipment and an interest free tool loan.