Ben Leonard – Apprentice Light Fab Engineer

After finishing hissecondary education at Verdon College Ben was accepted onto the Level 2 National Certificate in Manufacturing and Mechanical Skills pre apprenticeship course at the Southern Institute of Technology. During this time he spent a day a week on work experience in an engineering workshop which provided Ben with additional practical work experience. Ben was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training and placed on secondment to Crown Sheetmetal.

The theory elements of Ben's Level 4 National Certificate are taught through weekly evening classes which are important to attend as without having passed the theory assessment the apprentice cannot be assessed in his practical skills. Once Ben has completed the theory assessment for a unit standard he is then able to be assessed in the practical elements, providing that he is able to prove that he was competent in the various tasks. The practical elements of Ben's qualification are taught in the workshop and through site work and are supplemented through practical tasks taught at an annual three week block course at S.I.T. Ben needs to maintain a regular record of all the tasks he completes as he collects and writes up evidence of his competency for assessment. Failure to maintain good records can add considerably to the length of time it takes to complete an apprenticeship.

Claire Herring – Electrical Engineering Apprentice

Having completed her secondary schooling at Verdon College, Claire successfully applied to undertake the electrical pre apprenticeship course at the Southern Institute of Technology.

In late 2007 she was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training and is seconded to her primary host company, New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Ltd

To complete the Level 4 National Certificate in Electrical Engineering Claire must complete a range of unit standards comprising both theory and practical elements. Claire's off job theory training has been provided by the Southern Institute of Technology through her attendance at weekly evening classes and through a two week block course each year.

As a Modern Apprentice Claire has her own Modern Apprenticeship Coordinator who has developed an individual Training Plan for her which sets realistic goals and timeframes to achieve them in. The Coordinator meets with Claire on a regular basis and is available as a mentor to both Claire and her supervisor.

Craig McKenzie – Light Fabrication Engineer

Craig attended Verdon College before successfully applying for an engineering apprenticeship with Southern Group Training and being seconded to Rayners 4 Seasons.

As Craig had not completed a pre apprenticeship course he was required to complete his Level 2, 3 and 4 unit standard introductions through weekly night classes at the Southern Institute of Technology. This meant that for Craig it took longer than it might otherwise have to complete his apprenticeship.

During his apprenticeship, which he finished in 2005, Craig was involved in the Southland Secondary Schools Careers Expo giving students the opportunity to try their hand at welding. For many students having the opportunity “to have ago” at a range of practical tasks gave them an insight into various trades.

The Trades Arena has proved very popular as it provides students with an opportunity to check out various career opportunities in the trades, to explore the various career pathways in specific trades, and to talk with apprentices about their experiences. Having the ability to make an informed choice about the career pathway to be chosen is extremely important.

An apprenticeship offers a student the ability to earn as they learn, to complete their Level 4 National certificate debt free, and to be highly sought after in the job market once they complete their apprenticeship.

Greg Brown – Machining & Toolmaking Engineer

Greg Brown is an outstanding apprentice who has the ability to go far in his chosen career path of engineering. He has both the academic and practical ability as well as being an extremely personable young man. After leaving Verdon College Greg spent some time at private college before he evaluated the various career training options in engineering and chose the apprenticeship pathway for the valuable practical skills and knowledge it would provide. It is Greg's intention to complete an engineering degree in the future.

Greg was a diligent student during his pre trade engineering course at the Southern Institute of Technology and, as a result, was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training which placed him with McLeay Precision Engineering. Greg has continued to apply himself to his studies with a view to completing his apprenticeship in the optimum timeframe and has done so.

In 2004 Greg entered the Otago Southland SkillEX competition in the Engineering Machining Section which he won. He was also nominated by his host company for the Invercargill Sunrise Rotary Club Pride in Workmanship Award.

Isaac Thurlow – Apprentice Carpenter

After completing his secondary schooling at Verdon College Isaac was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training and has been placed with Trevor Withington Builder for his on job practical training.

To complete the Level 4 National Certificate in Carpentry Isaac must complete a range of unit standards comprising both theory and practical elements. Isaac's off job theory training is being provided through distance learning.

He has a ‘box of books' which contains theory workbooks which he must complete and return for marking on a regular basis if he is to make good progress through his studies.

It is to Isaac's advantage to put together a study schedule to make sure that he has put time aside each week to work on his assignments.

Isaac is also required to keep a log book of the various tasks he has completed in the workplace as evidence of his growing competency in various practical unit standards.

To achieve practical competency he has to be able to complete the required practical tasks consistently well, unsupervised, in a commercial timeframe, using safe work practices. It is the apprentice's responsibility to keep and regularly update his logbook so that assessments can be undertaken in a timely manner.

Isaac's Training Manager keeps in regular contact to provide support and guidance as and when required.

Kieran Murphy – Light Fabrication Engineer

Having completed his secondary schooling at Verdon College Kieran worked as a metal polisher before being promoted into an apprenticeship. In mid 2003 he was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training and has been placed on secondment with Crown Sheetmetal.

Kieran must complete a range of unit standards comprising both theory and practical elements to complete the Level 4 National Certificate in Light Fabrication Engineering. His off job theory training has been provided by the Southern Institute of Technology through his attendance at weekly evening classes and through a three week block course each year.

Once Kieran has completed the theory assessment for each unit standard he is then able to be assessed in the practical elements. To achieve practical competency Kieran has to be able to complete the required practical tasks consistently well, unsupervised, in a commercial timeframe, using safe work practices.

Kieran's Training Manager is a qualified workplace assessor and is able to undertake regular workplace assessments of Kieran's work. It is the apprentice's responsibility to be well prepared for the assessment of each unit standard.

Mark Cournane – Apprentice Electrician

Having completed his secondary schooling at Verdon College Mark successfully applied to undertake the electrical pre apprenticeship course at the Southern Institute of Technology. In 2004 he was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training and is currently on placement with his second host company, Munro Electrical.

To complete the Level 4 National Certificate in Electrical Engineering Mark must complete a range of unit standards comprising both theory and practical elements. Mark's off job theory training has been provided by S.I.T through his attendance at evening class and through a two week block course each year.

As a Modern Apprentice Mark has his own Modern Apprenticeship Coordinator who has developed an individual training plan for him which sets realistic goals and timeframes to achieve them in. The Coordinator, Karen Hogh, meets with Mark on a regular basis and is available as a mentor to both Mark and his supervisor.

Mark needs to maintain a weekly record of all the tasks he completes in a Record of Work folder which is required to be signed off by his supervisor once the supervisor agrees that Mark has achieved the required competency level. Failure to maintain good records can add considerably to the length of time it takes to complete an apprenticeship.

Mark Johnston – Heavy Fab Engineer

While completing his secondary schooling at Verdon College Mark secured after school and school holiday work in an engineering workshop which led to the offer of an apprenticeship through Southern Group Training. Having a good work ethic certainly helps in attracting offers of employment.

Mark'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.

Regular attendance at evening class is extremely important as apprentices need to complete the theory component of each unit standard before they can be workplace assessed in the practical components. Failure to do so can significantly prolong the length of time it takes to complete an apprenticeship.

Establishing and maintaining a good study habit is necessary if apprentices are to complete their qualification in the optimum time frame.

Mark Wallis – Apprentice Heavy Fabrication Engineer

After completing his secondary schooling at Verdon College Mark successfully applied to undertake the engineering pre apprenticeship course at the Southern Institute of Technology.

At the completion of the course Mark was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training and has been placed with Wilson Bros Engineering for his on job practical training.

During the pre apprenticeship course students cover various health and safety requirements including first aid, safe use of hand tools and safe use of power tools all of which makes them safer in the workplace.

Students are also trained in the Level 2 unit standard requirements of their apprenticeship qualification which enables the student to be more useful in the workplace from the beginning of their apprenticeship.

Employers prefer to employ people with a good understanding of the health and safety issues in the workplace and who are able to be useful from day one. The pre apprenticeship course also allows the student to demonstrate a good work ethic and an understanding of the need to have good timekeeping skills.

Matthew McDonald – Apprentice Electrician

After completing his secondary schooling at Verdon College Matthew successfully applied to undertake the electrical pre apprenticeship course at the Southern Institute of Technology. In 2005 he was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training and has been placed with New Zealand Aluminium Smelter Ltd.

To complete the Level 4 National Certificate in Electrical Engineering Matthew must complete a range of unit standards comprising both theory and practical elements. Matthew's off job theory training has been provided by S.I.T through his attendance at evening class and through a two 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 Matthew's Training Manual, his evening class and block course fees, and pays him while he is attending his annual two 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.

Sam Flannery – Apprentice Automotive Engineer

Having completed his secondary schooling at Verdon College Sam successfully applied to undertake the automotive pre apprenticeship course at the Southern Institute of Technology. In 2005 he was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training and is currently on placement with New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Ltd.

To complete the Level 4 National Certificate in Automotive Engineering Sam must complete a range of unit standards comprising both theory and practical elements. Sam's off job theory training is being provided through correspondence and through a week long block course each year.

As a Modern Apprentice Sam has his own Modern Apprenticeship Coordinator who has developed an individual training plan for him which sets realistic goals and timeframes to achieve them in.

The Coordinator meets with Sam on a regular basis and is available as a mentor to both Sam and his supervisor.

Sam is required to maintain a record of all the tasks he completes in a Record of Work folder which is required to be signed off by his supervisor once the supervisor agrees that Sam has achieved the required competency level. Failure to maintain good records can add considerably to the length of time it takes to complete an apprenticeship.

Shae Wyering – Electrical Engineer

Shae completed his secondary education at Verdon College and then successfully applied, in late 2007, for an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training. He is currently on placement with Telepower.

While most apprentices spend the entirety of their apprenticeship with one host company Southern Group Training has the ability to place an apprentice with another host company if the original host has insufficient ongoing work, or is unable to provide training in all the unit standards required to enable the apprentice to complete his Level 4 National Certificate.

While achieving practical competency in the workplace Shae attends weekly evening classes at the Southern Institute of Technology to achieve all his off job theoretical unit standards.

Urbain Lawrence – Light Fabrication Engineer

A former student of Verdon College, Urbain enrolled in the July 2007 ACE Engineering programme which was held over 20, instead of the usual 38, weeks at the Southern Institute of Technology. The condensed pre apprenticeship course allowed Urbain to complete all the requirements of the course in a shorter period of time, thus allowing him to begin his apprenticeship earlier than previously would have been the case.

Having successfully completed all the requirements of the course Urbain was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training which placed him with Crown Sheetmetal Ltd to complete the remaining Level 3 and Level 4 practical unit standards.

Additional practical experience is provided through annual three week block courses held at the Southern Institute of Technology.

The theory units are taught through off job training via weekly evening classes at SIT and require regular attendance if the apprentice is to make good steady progress towards the completion of his apprenticeship and Level 4 National Certificate.