Andrew Mahon – Heavy Fabrication Engineer

After leaving Southland Boys High School in 1994 Andrew spent a number of years in the workforce as an engineering labourer before being promoted into an apprenticeship. During this time his employer was able to ascertain his suitability for an apprenticeship, and Andrew was able to make an informed decision that his preference was for a career in engineering.

Andrew was offered an apprenticeship through Southern Group Training as his employer, George Wilson and Sons, preferred to leave the employment and management of their apprentices to Southern Group Training. Andrew had his own Training Manager who developed an individual training plan for him which set realistic goals and timeframes to achieve them in. The Training Manager met with Andrew on a regular basis and was available as a mentor to both Andrew and his employer.

While it had been some time since Andrew had been at school he applied himself to learning the theory and practical requirements of his Level 4 National Certificate and in 200 4 was the Best Overall Engineering apprentice at the Southern Institute of Technology annual prize giving.

Anthony Cuthers – Apprentice Light Fab Engineer

After completing his secondary schooling at Southland Boys High School Anthony spent a number of years in the workforce in a variety of roles before he was offered an apprenticeship through Southern Group Training.

Anthony must complete a range of unit standards comprising both theory and practical elements to achieve the Level 4 National Certificate in Light Fabrication Engineering.

Anthony's off job theory training is being 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.

Brad Hamilton – Light Fabrication Engineer

After completing his secondary schooling at Southland Boys High School Brad worked in a number of roles before being offered an apprenticeship through Southern Group Training. He is seconded to Marshall Industries for training in the practical components of his qualification.

To complete the Level 4 National Certificate in Light Fabrication 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.

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

Bradley Campbell Apprentice Light Fabrication Engineer

Bradley completed his secondary education at Southland Boys High School before entering the workforce, and in 2007 being offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training on secondment with Southland Sheetmetal.

The theory components of Bradley's Level 4 National Certificate are taught through weekly evening classes at the Southern Institute of Technology. Once Bradley has completed the theory assessment for a unit standard he is then able to be assessed in the practical elements.

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

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

Corey Flutey – Carpentry Apprentice

After completing his secondary schooling at Southland Boys High School, Corey successfully applied to undertake the carpentry pre apprenticeship programme at the Southern Institute of Technology. In early 2008, at the completion of the course, Corey was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training and has been placed on secondment with Bluff Timber & Building Supplies.

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. This also 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 programme 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.

Dale McMinn – Apprentice General Engineer

After completing his secondary schooling at Southland Boys High School, Dale was employed as a labourer for a local engineering company.

During this time Dale had the opportunity to see first hand what engineers do and, wanting to improve his status in the workplace, he decided to apply for an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training.

He has been placed with Dyno NZ for his on job practical training and has found that his previous labouring experience has been very useful to him.

To complete the Level 4 National Certificate in General Engineering Dale must complete a range of theory and practical unit standards. Dale'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.

An apprenticeship offers the opportunity to gain a Level 4 qualification without needing to take on a student debt. Apprentices are paid as they learn. Southern Group Training, as employer, pays for Dale'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.

Daniel Moore – Light Fabrication Engineer

After completing his secondary schooling at Southland Boys High School, Daniel successfully applied to undertake the engineering pre apprenticeship programme at the Southern Institute of Technology. In early 2008 he was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training and has been placed with Quality Sheetmetal for his practical on job training.

To complete the Level 4 National Certificate in Light Fabrication Engineering Daniel must complete a range of unit standards comprising both theory and practical elements. Daniel's off job theory training has been provided by the Southern Institute of Technology through his attendance at weekly 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.

Gregor Stevens – Electrical Engineering

After completing his secondary schooling at Southland Boys High School, in late 2007 Gregor was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training and has been placed with Munro Electrical Ltd for his on job practical training.

To complete the Level 4 National Certificate in Electrical Engineering Gregor must complete a range of unit standards comprising both theory and practical elements. Gregor's off job theory training has been provided by the Southern Institute of Technology through his attendance at weekly 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 Gregor'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.

Hayden Stronach – General Engineering

After completing his secondary schooling at Southland Boys High School Hayden successfully applied to undertake the engineering pre apprenticeship course at the Southern Institute of Technology. In 2007 he was offered a Modern Apprenticeship with Gough Bros Engineering.

As a Modern Apprentice Hayden 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. Southern Group Training is the Modern Apprenticeship service provider for the engineering industry in Southland and provides a Coordinator who meets with Hayden on a regular basis and is available as a mentor to both Hayden and his supervisor.

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

Hayden's off job theory training has been provided by S.I.T through his attendance at weekly evening class and through a three week block course each year. Regular attendance at evening class is needed if apprentices are to keep up with their theory work. Competency in each of the theory work books is required before workplace assessments can be undertaken.

Joseph McDowall – Apprentice SheetFed Printer

Joseph completed his secondary education at Southland Boys High School and applied for a number of jobs before deciding that being a sheet fed printing apprentice might be worth serious consideration. Joseph was offered employment as an apprentice with Southern Group Training and placed on secondment with McDowall Print as his host company for his practical on job training.

A printing apprenticeship requires the completion of the theory components of a range of unit standards through distance learning which requires the apprentice to develop and maintain good study habits. Additional tuition support is provided through attendance at annual block courses in either Christchurch or Auckland.

Southern Group Training, as employer, pays for Joseph's Training Manual, his distance learning course material and block course fees, and pays him while he is attending his annual block course. Travel and accommodation costs for block courses held outside Southland are also covered.

Joseph has his own Training Manager who has developed an individual training plan for him which sets realistic goals and timeframes to achieve them in. The Training Manager meets with Joseph on a regular basis and is available as a mentor to both Joseph and his supervisor.

Karl Auckram – Floor & Wall Tiler

Karl Auckram - Floor & Wall Tiler

Karl completed four years at Southland Boys High School before entering the workforce. He was employed in a number of jobs before applying for a floor and wall tiling apprenticeship with Southern Group Training. Karl was placed on secondment with The Tile Centre where he was taught the practical elements of the unit standards required for the completion of his Level 4 National Certificate.

Passing School Certificate English and having a good background in the subject has stood Karl in good stead as he completes the theory elements of his unit standards through self paced distance learning.

Karl 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, met with Karl on a regular basis and was available as a mentor to both Karl and his supervisor.

It is to his credit, and a reflection of the esteem with which he is held, that Karl was nominated by his host company for the Invercargill Sunrise Rotary Club Pride in Workmanship Award.

Leigh McGearty – Apprentice Electrician

Leigh completed his secondary education at Southland Boys High School and then successfully applied to undertake the electrical pre apprenticeship course at the Southern Institute of Technology. The successful completion of the pre apprenticeship course significantly reduced the length of time taken to complete the Level 4 National Certificate in Electrical Engineering.

In mid 2004 Leigh was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training and is currently on placement with the Alliance Group Lorneville.

While most apprentices spend 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 qualification.

While the Alliance Group is Leigh's primary host company for his practical on job training, during the course of his apprenticeship Southern Group Training will place Leigh with several secondary host companies to enable him to complete the full range of commercial and domestic electrical unit standards required to complete his Level 4 National Certificate

Paul Duston – Apprentice Light Fab Engineer

After leaving Southland Boys High School Paul spent a number of years in the workforce as an engineering labourer before the opportunity arose to be promoted into an apprenticeship. During this time his employer was able to ascertain his suitability for an apprenticeship, and Paul was able to make an informed decision that a career in engineering was best for him.

Paul was offered an apprenticeship through Southern Group Training as his employer, Marshall Industries, preferred to leave the employment and management of their apprentices to Southern Group Training.

The practical elements of Paul's Level 4 National Certificate qualification are taught on the job and through annual three weekly block courses at the Southern Institute of Technology. The theory elements are taught through weekly evening classes.

Paul needed to maintain a regular record of all the tasks he completed as he collected and wrote 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. Paul is about to complete his apprenticeship and has enrolled at S.I.T to undertake study towards the completion of his Level 5 National Certificate.

Richard Busby – Apprentice Electrician

Having completed his secondary schooling at Southland Boys High School Richard 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 Adamson Electrical and Security.

To complete the Level 4 National Certificate in Electrical Engineering Richard must complete a range of unit

standards comprising both theory and practical elements. Richard'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 Richard'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.

Ryan Tremaine – Apprentice General Engineer

After leaving Southland Boys High School Ryan was employed by Engineering.com as a Modern Apprentice, which means that while Engineering.com employs Ryan he still has access to the free Modern Apprenticeship service.

Southern Group Training is the Modern Apprenticeship Coordinator for a range of industries, including engineering, in Southland.

Ryan's Modern Apprenticeship Coordinator develops an individual Training Plan for him which sets out the goals he is working towards and the timeframe for achieving them in.

The practical unit standards are taught in the workplace while the theory units are taught through weekly evening classes at the Southern Institute of Technology. Ryan also attends an annual three week block course.

Regular attendance at evening class is required if Ryan is to complete his qualification in a good timeframe.

Ryan's Coordinator meets with him regularly to ensure that good steady progress is being made towards Ryan achieving his targets. The Coordinator also acts as a Mentor/Coach to both Ryan and his employer at no cost to either.

Shane Sexton – Heavy Fabrication Engineer

After completing his secondary schooling at Southland Boys High School Shane successfully applied to undertake the engineering pre apprenticeship course at the Southern Institute of Technology. In late 2007 he was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training on secondment with E-Type Engineering.

As Shane is under 22 years of age he is eligible to be a Modern Apprentice.

Southern Group Training is the Modern Apprenticeship service provider for the engineering industry in Southland and provides a Coordinator/Training Manager who meets with Shane on a regular basis.

Shane's Coordinator develops an individual Training Plan for him which sets realistic goals and timeframes to achieve them in. These goals are based on the work being done in the workplace the Coordinator specifies particular unit standards for Shane to focus on achieving competency in. Progress is reviewed and once competency is achieved additional units are targeted.

Steve Russell – Apprentice M & D Engineer

Having completed his secondary schooling at Southland Boys High School Steve successfully applied to undertake the engineering pre apprenticeship course at the Southern Institute of Technology. In 2004 he was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training and is on placement with New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Ltd.

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

As a Modern Apprentice Steve 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 Steve on a regular basis and is available as a mentor to both Steve and his supervisor.

Southern Group Training is the only Southland based Modern Apprenticeship Coordinator in Southland and provides the free Modern Apprenticeship service to a wide range of industries.

Tala Masina – Apprentice Light Fab Engineer

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.

William Shaw – Electrical Engineer

Having completed his secondary education at Southland Boys High School William 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 the Alliance Group Lorneville as his primary host company for his practical on job training.

While the Alliance Group was William's primary host company, during the course of his apprenticeship Southern Group Training has placed William 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.

William's off job theory training was 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 provided William with a good foundation of knowledge, skills and experience to build upon in his current employment as a fully qualified electrical engineer.