After completing his secondary schooling at Mount Anglem College Nathan successfully applied to undertake the automotive pre apprenticeship course at the Southern Institute of Technology.

During the course he did work experience one day a week which reinforced the requirements of an apprenticeship. In 2006 he was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training and has been placed with Agnew Bros Garage in Edendale.

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 Nathan’s annual apprentice registration fee, Training Manual, his distance learning packages, and block course fees, and pays him while he is attending his annual two week block course. Travel and accommodation costs for any block courses held outside Southland are also covered.