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australian industry trade college
How to... E XC E L I N WO R K E X P E R I E N C E When educating young people as leaders in industry, the AITC works hard to make sure they are prepared for their career journey.
Finding work experience (WEX) marks the beginning, but having the right attitude in the workplace is where young people really make an impact. It’s where they shine, where they learn and where they grow. Mark Crane, business owner of Marjac Automotive, has worked closely with the AITC Sunshine Coast campus for several years and given hundreds of valuable hours in work experience to many of our seniors. However, after WEX, the next step is a crucial one — to be signed-on as an apprentice or trainee. Mark talks about the importance of work experience and how it gives young people a chance to stand out from the crowd. Initially WEX is about “seeing what capabilities a person has to give.” Through the AITC “they are semiprepared, so they’re not like they’ve just come off the street with no understanding of what employment is all about,” says Mark. This time allows an employer to understand how that person may fit
in with the team and be a valuable apprentice/employee. “For example, Jackson [AITC senior] turned up two weeks ago and I saw something in him,” explains Mark. During work experience “it was important to motivate him and to give him encouragement.” Once finishing his education block, Jackson was signed-up as a school-based apprentice. “Jackson is attentive, passionate, and when he turns up, he is ready.” Mark says it’s about “all those little things — when kids come in alert and they’re ready to go. Jackson was in at 7:20am for an 8:00am start, he’s here, walks straight in and starts into the process.” When a young person starts WEX at Marjac Automotive they are buddied with a technician. From the first day “you’re looking at their posture, their alertness and where they’re at,” says Mark. “It’s important they walk in with an open mind, that they’re ready and aware of the workplace. We know they’re new and they’re not going to jump in and rebuild motors straight away. But they
need to be attentive, be responsive and listen. “With Jackson you see that. He’s only been here a couple of weeks and he’s working hard, he’s alert and aware. I’ve had to educate him about getting a haircut! I made him aware about my expectations and he’s stepped up.” Growing and learning is a constant part of WEX and it’s important to think about future possibilities after signing-on as an apprentice. “There’s no reason why an apprentice shouldn’t start thinking about being a boss one day,” explains Mark. It comes with proving your abilities during work experience, having the goal to be an apprentice and then having that drive to learn more. “I am a mechanic but I’m also a business owner. When you become a business owner there’s more responsibility, you work out money, wages, time, people.” There are many things to learn in a business workflow. “It’s important to understand how the whole place runs, understand from the customer walking in the door, to giving them the price of
