Brad Cross – Apprentice Heavy Fab Engineer

Brad completed his secondary schooling at Gore High School and then successfully applied to undertake the fabrication welding pre apprenticeship course at the Southern Institute of Technology. In 2004 he was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training and has been placed with Graham Engineering.

To complete the Level 4 National Certificate in Electrical Engineering Brad must complete a range of unit standards comprising both theory and practical elements. Brad'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 Brad'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

Brent Winsloe – Apprentice Light Automotive Engineer

After completing his secondary schooling at Gore High School Brent successfully applied to undertake the automotive pre apprenticeship course at the Southern Institute of Technology.

At the completion of the course Brent was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training and has been placed with Russell Keeler Auto for his practical on job 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 enables them to be 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.

It is important for any apprentice to have a current, and preferably, full driver's license. It is equally important that once the learners license has been achieved that the apprentice continues on to secure his/her restricted, then full, license as soon as practically possible. Having a driver's license is a requirement of the automotive industry.

Callum McCall – General Engineering Apprentice

After completing his secondary schooling at Gore High School, Callum successfully applied to undertake the full year engineering pre apprenticeship course at the Southern Institute of Technology.

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 enables them to be 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.

At the completion of the course Callum was offered a Modern Apprenticeship with Custom Build in Gore. Every Modern Apprentice has their own Modern Apprentice Coordinator who works with them to develop an individual Training Plan for them. The Coordinator visits them quarterly throughout the year to ensure that the tasks set for that quarter have been achieved, and to set tasks for the coming quarter. The Coordinator guides the apprentice through their apprenticeship.

Damian Soper – Light Fabrication Engineer

Damian attended secondary school at Gore High School before being employed in a number of jobs. He worked as a labourer in a sheetmetal workshop and was offered promotion into an apprenticeship through Southern Group Training. Damian spent his apprenticeship on secondment with Scott Sheetmetal.

To complete the Level 4 National Certificate in Light Fabrication Engineering Damian had to complete a range of unit standards comprising both theory and practical elements. Damian's off job theory training was 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. Establishing and maintaining a good study habit is necessary if apprentices are to complete their qualification in the optimum time frame. Failure to do so can significantly prolong the length of time it takes to complete an apprenticeship .

John Laughton – Light Fabrication Engineer

John attended Gore High School for three years before securing work at Sheet Metalcraft as an engineering labourer. John spent several months in the workforce during which time the company was able to check out his suitability to be considered for an apprenticeship, and he was able to make a more informed decision as to whether a career in engineering was for him.

Jo hn was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training and seconded to Sheet Metalcraft where he completed his apprenticeship in 2005. The practical elements of his qualification are taught on the job and through annual three week block courses at the Southern Institute of Technology. The theory elements are taught through weekly evening classes.

Once John had completed the theory assessment for a unit standard he was then able to be assessed in the practical elements, providing that he was able to prove that he was competent in the various tasks. To achieve practical competency John had to be able to complete the required practical tasks consistently well, unsupervised, in a commercial timeframe, using safe work practices.

John is now working towards the completion of the Level 5 National Certificate Engineering.

John Young – Apprentice Light Fab Engineer

After leaving Gore High School, John enrolled in the engineering pre apprenticeship course, Level 2 National Certificate in Fabrication Welding, at the Southern Institute of Technology. Completion of the Level 2 unit standards through the pre apprenticeship course should effectively be the completion of the first year of John's apprenticeship theory requirements and would normally reduce the amount of time it should take him to complete his qualification.

John was, however, unable to secure an apprenticeship until Southern Group Training approached him with an offer. It is important to move into an apprenticeship as quickly as possible after completion of the pre apprenticeship course to minimise the loss of knowledge through lack of practical application. John is now settled into his apprenticeship and is making steady progress towards the completion of the second year of his apprenticeship.

John 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

John is employed by Southern Group Training which placed him on secondment with Scott Sheetmetal.

Mark Thompson – Apprentice Electrician

Having completed his secondary schooling at Menzies College Mark 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 is currently on placement with New Zealand Aluminium Smelters.

To complete the Level 4 National Certificate in Electrical Engineering Mark must complete a range of unit standards comprising both theory and practical elements. Marks'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 Mark'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.

Reece O’Connor – Apprentice Maintenance & Diagnostics Engineer

During his secondary schooling Reece undertook a STAR Engineering Course and spent time working for several local engineering companies which gave him a better understanding of what engineers do.

After leaving Gore High School Reece was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training and placed with Alliance Mataura for his on job practical training.

The theory components of his qualification are taught through weekly evening classes, which may require work to be done at home after class. Once Reece has completed the theory assessment for a unit standard he is then able to be assessed in the practical components, provided that he is able to prove that he is competent in the various tasks.

To achieve practical competency Reece has to be able to complete the required practical tasks consistently well, unsupervised, in a commercial timeframe, using safe work practices. This level of competency is gained through practical work experience on job and through a series of block courses.

Reece's Training Manager is a registered workplace assessor and can assess Reece whenever he has work ready for assessment.

Ryan MacMaster – Carpenter

Having completed his secondary education at Gore High School in 2001, Ryan was employed as an apprentice by Southern Group Training and placed on secondment with Chris King Builder. Ryan had spent the summer holidays working with Chris and gaining an appreciation of the work involved being a carpenter. It also enabled Chris to evaluate Ryan's suitability for an apprenticeship.

Ryan's education continued as each year he attended a series of block courses at the Southern Institute of Technology where he was taught the theory components of the Level 4 National Certificate in Carpentry.

Once Ryan had completed the theory assessment for a unit standard he was then able to be assessed in the practical elements, provided that he was able to prove that he was competent in the various tasks. To achieve practical competency Ryan had to be able to complete the required practical tasks consistently well, unsupervised, in a commercial timeframe, using safe work practices.

Ryan needed to maintain a weekly record of all the tasks he completed in a Record of Work folder which was required to be signed off by his supervisor once the supervisor agreed that Ryan had achieved the required competency level. Failure to maintain good records can add considerably to the length of time it takes to complete an apprenticeship.

Scott Ramsay – Apprentice M & D Engineer

After completing his secondary education at Gore High School, Scott was accepted onto the Level 2 National Certificate in Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering pre apprenticeship course at the Southern Institute of Technology. Scott was then offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training and placed on secondment with Alliance Group Mataura.

While attending the pre apprenticeship course Scott spent a day each week on work experience which gave him additional practical skills, and an insight into the workings of an engineering workshop. This enabled Scott to make a more informed decision that engineering is his preferred trade and that doing an apprenticeship is his preferred method of training.

Apprenticeships offer people the opportunity to earn a decent wage while learning the skills necessary to complete a Level 4 National Certificate. Completion of an apprenticeship not only enables people to complete their qualification without having to incur a student loan, when they enter the job market the skill set they have makes them highly desirable employees.

The world wide skill shortage across all trades makes any newly qualified trades person highly sought after both in Southland and further afield.

Shannon Black – Apprentice Bricklayer

While attending Gore High School Shannon decided to learn a trade, but which one was the question. Undecided, Shannon decided keep his options open by to studying the core subjects; English, maths, science, graphics and woodwork, as this gave him a good grounding for gaining a qualification in any of the different trades he was considering.

Shannon worked with a painter, then a builder, before deciding on bricklaying. Shannon became a Southern Group Training apprentice in 2005 and is placed with Adrian van Uden where he is completing the Level 3 National Certificate in Brick and Block Laying.

Adrian teaches Shannon the practical skills required and Shannon fills out a Training Record Book of the work completed, which he has to take with him to his annual block course training in Wellington.

This record forms part of his competency assessment. Shannon also has to pass practical competency assessments in a range of tasks and theory examinations while attending each of the three week block courses. It is therefore important that Shannon is well prepared before he goes on his annual block course.

To achieve practical competency Shannon has to be able to complete the required practical tasks consistently well, unsupervised, in a commercial timeframe, using safe work practices.

Simon Highsted – Apprentice Heavy Fabrication Engineer

After completing his secondary schooling at Gore High School Simon successfully applied to undertake an engineering apprenticeship with Southern Group Training which placed him with J K Stevenson Ltd for his on job practical training.

To complete the Level 4 National Certificate in Heavy Fabrication Engineering Simon must complete a range of unit standards comprising both theory and practical components.

Simon's off job theory training has been provided by the Southern Institute of Technology through his attendance at weekly evening classes and 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.

Establishing and maintaining a good study habit is necessary if apprentices are to complete their qualification in a good time frame. Failure to do so can significantly prolong the length of time it takes to complete an apprenticeship.

Simon McGowan – Maintenance & Diagnostics Engineer

Simon completed his secondary education at Gore High School. In early 2006 Simon was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training which placed him with Dongwha Patinna NZ Limited for his practical on job training.

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 Simon'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 any block courses held outside Southland are also covered

Southern Group Training also provides apprentices with an interest free tool loan to enable apprentices to have a basic toolkit of their own from the beginning of their apprenticeship. The apprentice does not have to save up for each tool but has the basics of the required tool kit on hand. This means that the apprentice does not need to borrow other trades people's tools to complete the tasks at hand. Apprentices are also provided with their own personal protective equipment.

Stephen Cubitt – Electrical Apprentice

Having completed his secondary education at Gore High School Stephen successfully applied to, and completed, the electrical pre apprenticeship course at the Southern Institute of Technology. In 2002 he was employed as an electrical apprentice with Southern Group Training and placed with Adamson Electrical and Security for his practical on job training.

Stephen's off job theory training has been provided by S.I.T through his attendance at evening class two nights a week and through a two week block course each year.

The diversity of practical work and steady progress through his theory work has provided Stephen with a good foundation of knowledge, skills and experience to build upon as he completes the final year of his apprenticeship.

Stephen has sought to enhance his skills through competing in several skills based electrical competitions. While completing a challenging practical project in a tight time frame is not the most exciting way of spending a Saturday it offered Stephen a chance to pit himself against other electrical apprentices as a measure of his progress towards establishing himself as a good tradesman. It also raised his profile among the electrical fraternity many of whom donated their time to judge the events. The ability to work well under pressure will stand Stephen in good stead as he enters the workforce as a fully qualified electrician

Tane Henderson – Apprentice Maintenance Engineer

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.

Travis Allen – Apprentice Light Automotive Engineer

After completing his secondary schooling at Gore High School Travis successfully applied to undertake the automotive engineering pre apprenticeship course at Otago Polytechnic. In 2007 he was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training and has been placed with Russell Keeler Autos for his on job practical training.

To complete the Level 4 National Certificate in Automotive Engineering Travis must complete a range of unit standards comprising both theory and practical elements. Travis's off job theory training is through distance learning, which means that he needs to set time aside on a regular basis to complete his theory workbooks.

Apprentices request the workbook which is relevant to the work they are doing in the workshop so that, if at all possible, the theory they are studying compliments the practical work they are doing.

It is recommended that apprentices complete and send their theory workbooks away for marking every fortnight to ensure that they finish the theory work required in a good timeframe.