Blair Falconer – Electrical Engineer

Having completed his secondary schooling at Blue Mountain College Blair successfully applied to, and completed, the electrical pre apprenticeship course at the Southern Institute of Technology. In 2002 he was offered an apprenticeship with Blue Mountain Lumber through Southern Group Training.

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

While Blue Mountain Lumber was Blair's primary host company, during the course of his apprenticeship Southern Group Training placed Blair with several secondary host companies to enable him to complete the full range of domestic and commercial electrical unit standards required to complete his Level 4 National Certificate.

The diversity of practical work and steady progress through his theory work has provided Blair with a good foundation of knowledge, skills and experience.

Brendon Crawford – Apprentice Plumber

Brendan attended Blue Mountain College through to seventh form. While at school he had a number of school holiday jobs including one with a local plumber. This gave Brendan an idea of what plumbers do and in 2003 he successfully applied to Southern Group Training for a plumbing apprenticeship.

Brendan has been placed with the Alliance Group Lorneville as his primary host to gain the necessary practical on job skills. During the plant's processing season Brendan has been placed with a variety of secondary host companies to provide additional training in the practical aspects of his apprenticeship. This has included a period of time with Frank Quinn Plumbing, and Marshall Industries.

The theory components of Brendan's training are delivered through correspondence papers which are supplemented with block courses each year. Keeping up with the theory paperwork has enabled Brendan to do particularly well in the practical assessments carried out during the block course.

Brendan will be required to pass a set of registration exams as part of his training. This will enable him to work unsupervised on site when he gains his Level 4 National Certificate in Plumbing.

Daniel Faulks – Apprentice Light Fabrication Engineer

While at Blue Mountain College Daniel attended the Southland Secondary School Careers Expo where he was able to get information and advice on how best to get into a career in the engineering industry.

After completing his secondary education Daniel successfully applied to undertake an engineering pre apprenticeship course at the Southern Institute of Technology.

In mid 2007 Daniel was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training and has been placed with Scott Sheetmetal in Gore 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. They 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 very 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 be able to develop and maintain good timekeeping skills.