After leaving Gore High School Tane was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training which placed him with Dairy and Pumps in Gore to undertake training in the on job practical aspects of his qualification.

To complete the Level 4 National Certificate in Maintenance Engineering Tane must complete a range of unit standards comprising both theory and practical components. His Training Manager helps Tane to identify which units, based on the work he is doing in the workplace, he should be working towards achieving practical competency in. Theory competency is assessed in weekly evening classes at the Southern Institute of Technology.

An apprenticeship offers the opportunity to gain a Level 4 trade qualification without needing to take on a student debt. Apprentices are paid as they learn.

Southern Group Training, as employer, pays for Tane’s annual apprentice registration fee, Training Manual, evening class and block course fees, and pays him while he is attending his annual three week block course. Travel and accommodation costs for any block courses held outside Southland are also covered. Tane is also provided with an interest free tool loan to enable him to start putting a tool box together.