“I had a really good time at school. I certainly had no expectations about a career. Everything just happened,” says Adrian Harris
While Adrian now owns a plumbing business (Harris and Thorn Plumbing and Gasfitting) with his business partner Richard Thorn, he started out without clear direction in life but having a strong work ethic and knowing he wanted to work outdoors.
“I canned a mowing business I had in Year 11 because I needed more time for school and finished Year 12 because it was a goal I wanted to achieve. After that I took 12 months off to take it easy.
“I went to uni orientation day and did not understand what people were getting out of it. You can walk straight into a trade and don’t have to pay HECS; you’re being paid while you do your apprenticeship. I was able to pay for a car. No HECS debt. No having to work inside in a supermarket or café. Straight into work.”
Both Richard and Adrian started their apprenticeship jobs with MEGT Group Training. That didn’t mean it was easy. Adrian says he had to learn to do a full day’s work rather than follow school hours, learn to be punctual and responsible. “I had to grow up I guess. Be responsible for my own destiny from that moment forward.”
When asked what he enjoyed about being a plumber, Adrian said that he could work outside every day “and people you work with are: what you see is what you get. I’ve made heaps of good friends in this industry.
“Having my own business is challenging. Every day is different and every job presents its own challenges.”
These days Adrian and Richard have three employees and host-employ an apprentice through MEGT Group Training.
“Then you get an apprentice like the one we have now. He is excellent. He can stay with us forever if he wants.
“I enjoy training young people if they are willing to respect your opinion and do as you ask them but that is not as simple as it sounds.
“Some people think that an apprenticeship is an easy life and an easy way to earn money and don’t realise that one day the job might dry up. Then when they try to get into another one and they haven’t learned, haven’t listened, find they are out of work.
“So while an apprenticeship is an opportunity – you need to want to learn and you will be able to go on in life.”
If you would like to see a list of Australian Apprenticeships jobs, Click here
Like many other bright young women, Flo thought that when she finished year 12, she would go to university to study engineering and surveying. And like many others her age, was not entirely sure that was going to be the right choice. While she deferred, she worked at Hong Kong Café in Moonah, Tasmania with a friend.
‘I loved it from the start,’ explains Flo. ‘it was the right thing for me. I love the people oriented environment and helping people decide what they want. It is a very friendly place with a positive environment that focuses on customer service.
‘I decided I wanted a career in hospitality, particularly hotel management. My research showed I needed to do Certificate IV in Hospitality Supervision and then an Advanced Diploma, followed by a Bachelor of Business Management (Hospitality). So I will fast track my attendance at University of Tasmania. I won’t have as many years of HECs debt because I will gain recognition for my prior learning.
‘Fiona at Hong Kong Café uses MEGT Group Training for her trainees, so everything was organised for me and I received valuable workplace training through MEGT Institute.
‘I was able to earn an income. At the same time I was gaining skills under the direction of a qualified trainer.
‘There is some misunderstanding about traineeships. They aren’t exclusively for people who can’t go to uni. I chose a pathway that enabled me to learn a trade on-the-job and then fast track uni.’
On-the-job training combines both the theory with practical workplace application. Hospitality is a people-based industry. It’s integral to it.
Flo did so well, she has been recognised by winning the Skills Tasmania Awards and representing Australia’s trainees in the Today’s Skills Tomorrow’s Leaders program.
If you would like to see a list of Australian Apprenticeships jobs, Click here
