IN THEIR OWN WORDS

blueprint australian industry trade college

In their own

words

SAM ALLT

One day I was listening to the radio station River 94.9 and the AITC sparked my interest.

The AITC program was great because I enjoy getting out of the classroom and into industry. I’ve grown up with trade around me all my life. My grandfather, when he was in the army, was an aircraft engineer/mechanic. One day we bought an ex-army Unimog. My dad and I did a bit of work on it. I enjoyed it a lot and I proceeded from there.

I already had a Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation through my old school.

Now I am working for Daimler Trucks Brisbane as an apprentice heavy diesel mechanic. The team are great, a lot of fun, a good group of people I try to learn as much as I can from. I get there at about 7:15am even though my starting time isn’t until 8:00am. I’m getting on the workshop floor at 7:30am and I’m sweeping for the majority of the morning and cleaning up. I then go to our foreman who will assign me a technician. From there I do what the technician says — whether that’s helping pull an engine out of a truck, pulling a gearbox out of a truck and putting a fresh gearbox in, helping out with a service, checking brakes, or doing brake pads.

From the minute I graduate school I will have a full-time job. It feels pretty good because it means I won’t be looking for full-time work. I don’t have to rely on a roster with casual/part-time employment and I won’t have a HECS debt. At the moment I’m saving up for a house deposit as an investment property. I’m going to try and stay at home as long as possible to do that. My life has been completely changed since enrolling at the AITC. In the future I am looking to do a Cert IV in Heavy Vehicle Motors and I can get into mechanical engineering at university. It is something I am thinking about in the future. My future goals are: investment property, maybe university, and owning my own Unimog!

YEAR 12 + MECHANICAL IPSWICH

Sam’s advice

A person should look for enjoyment with their apprenticeship, not mind getting in and doing some cleaning — and sweep your way to victory!

It’s important to graduate with your Year 12 QCE because it shows to employers you have the goal and you are committed to finishing Year 12.

Try to find a trade you like. Do work experience over your school holidays. Don’t be afraid to give the place a call to see if they will take you for work experience. You might call a lot of places before you find the right one but keep trying and don’t give up.

IPSWICH

AMBER COOK

I heard about the AITC on the radio, and I’m happy I made the switch. It’s important for me to finish Year 12— and my number one priority is getting a fulltime job.

Mainstream education doesn’t support young people like me — interested in both a trade and achieving Year 12 QCE. Since joining the AITC I’ve turned a corner, I will graduate and find an apprenticeship as well. I am feeling greatly relieved because I’m able to focus on my goals. At the AITC my education is more streamlined towards industry and the support here is good. If you’re facing any challenges, you can reach out to other people for help, like Industry Consultants or your Personal Industry Coach.

Since Year 11 I have been working for Electrical Ways, Hattonvale, as an electrician’s apprentice. As an electrical apprentice my job can be anything from installing powerpoints to light switches and helping with running cables in new housing. I have even helped with some solar work.

I like the work environment as an electrical apprentice and the possibilities where it can take you. I love seeing all the advancements in technology. We were working on one house recently and couldn’t get cables down the wall where they wanted them so we installed radio frequency light switching (remote control light switching). I find in this job I am always upskilling and always learning on the job.

ALIRAH RYFF You’ve got to put your foot in the door, otherwise you’ll never know.

YEAR 11 + ELECTRICAL

I found mainstream school was more focused on the curriculum than the actual people doing the work. I wanted a new start so I came to the AITC. A friend told me about the College and I was accepted after selection day. I wanted to do carpentry when I first came here but found that it wasn’t for me. I also tried landscaping and childcare as well — where I did lots of work experience.

In my first week at my current childcare centre, Elm Tree Early Learning Centre in Ormeau, I was offered a traineeship. It’s so good — the team were welcoming and so sweet. I like working with kindergarten aged children and pre-prep, I have a lot of fun with them.

At the AITC the education/industry blocks work well for me. When you’re working you get a break from education and when you’re doing education you get a break from work. It’s not as intense and stressful for someone my age. The support from the AITC is great, they really try hard. I have

DELIBERATELY DIFFERENT.

YEAR 12 + ELECTRICAL

Amber’s advice

If you’re facing any challenges, you can reach out to other people for help, like Industry Consultants or your Personal Industry Coach.

been with the College since Year 10. Before I came here I never liked trying new things, but, since I’ve been here, I always try new things. I’m not afraid to put myself out there anymore—not like I was at my old school. I’d be too scared to do anything. I’m more confident here. I’m a completely different person now.

I want to get my Year 12 QCE and have future plans to become part of the Child Protection Unit. I will need to join the general Police force first, and a QCE is a requirement.