While completing his secondary schooling at James Hargest College Nathan began working after school and during school holidays in an engineering workshop. This experience helped clarify in Nathan’s mind that a career in engineering was for him.

In 2006 he was offered an apprenticeship through Southern Group Training on secondment with Geo Wilson & Sons Engineering.

Nathan must complete a range of unit standards comprising both theory and practical elements to complete the Level 4 National Certificate in Maintenance & Diagnostics Engineering. Nathan’s off job theory training has been provided by S.I.T through his attendance at 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. Failure to do so can significantly prolong the length of time it takes to complete an apprenticeship. Establishing and maintaining a good study habit is necessary if apprentices are to complete their qualification in the optimum time frame.