Robert completed his secondary education at James Hargest College before entering the workforce. He was employed initially as a labourer before being promoted into an apprenticeship. Robert’s former employer, Transport Engineering, requested that Southern Group Training employ Robert acknowledging that Southern Group Training was better able to manage the apprenticeship training requirements.

During his apprenticeship Robert had his own Training Manager who developed an individual training plan for him which set realistic goals and timeframes to achieve them in. The Training Manager met with Robert on a regular basis and was available as a mentor to both Robert and his supervisor.

It is to his credit, and a reflection of the esteem with which he is held, that Robert was successfully nominated by his employer, Southern Group Training, for the Invercargill Sunrise Rotary Club Pride in Workmanship Award in 2004.