Tala completed his secondary schooling at Southland Boys High School and successfully applied to undertake the fabrication welding pre apprenticeship course at the Southern Institute of Technology. In 2003 he was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training and has been placed on secondment with Crown Sheetmetal Ltd.

To complete the Level 4 National Certificate in Fabrication Engineering Tala must complete a range of unit standards comprising both theory and practical elements. Tala’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.

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 Tala’s Training Manual, 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 Southland are also covered.

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