After completing his secondary schooling at Mount Anglem College Ryan successfully applied to undertake the engineering pre apprenticeship course at the Southern Institute of Technology. At the completion of the course in late 2004 Ryan was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training and has been placed on secondment with New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Ltd.

To complete the Level 4 National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering Ryan must complete a range of unit standards comprising both theory and practical elements. Ryan’s off job theory training has been provided by S.I.T through his attendance at weekly evening classes and through a three 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 Ryan’s Training Manual, his annual industry training fee, his evening class and block course fees, and pays him while he is attending his annual three week block course. Travel and accommodation costs for block courses held outside of Invercargill are also covered.