Success Connect Graduate

Nicholas Borland

Training Objective

Nicholas wanted to be employed. He realised that he needed some practical experience and skills relevant to the construction industry to successfully gain employment.

The Challenge

Nick was shy and refrained from speaking up in class discussions, finding it challenging to communicate with others.

Our Approach

Nick was talented and dedicated to learning. As the trainer and other students’ encouraged Nick to participate in the classroom discussions and talk about the practical tasks, he began to recognise his ability and competency in these core skills, increasing his confidence.

The Results

Nick gained the belief needed in himself that he had what it takes to become permanently employed; gaining a Tiling Apprenticeship before he had even completed the course and a Certificate III in Landscape Construction (AHC30916).

“I did the Success Connect course to gain some practical experience and hopefully gain something good out of it.  What I actually got was self-confidence, improved communication skills, and landscaping skills that provided an employment pathway to an apprenticeship.”

CPC30211 Certificate III in Caprentry Graduate

Elliot Tippett

Background

Elliot had started in a carpentry trade early in his career however, after three years he decided to make the move to Canberra and pursue a boilermaker trade. Stopping 1-year shy of completing his Carpentry course.  He didn’t want to leave his Carpentry trade hanging, so committed to completing his qualification, recognising the value it would bring him as a qualified carpenter.

Training Objective

Elliot’s driving force was that he wanted to set himself apart from the rest. Successfully completing his Carpentry Trade Certificate would result in Elliot holding a dual trade qualification, allowing him to further his career.

The Challenge

Elliot was eager to gain his qualification as quickly as possible. Passionate about drawing knowledge from others to help broaden his own, Elliot was extremely committed to his goal and used the support of FTA and experience of his Trainer Andrew to achieve his qualification.

Our Approach

Elliot often commented on the flexibility that completing the course at his own pace offered him. Knowing that Elliot was keen to become Trade qualified, our Head office team and dedicated trainer, Andrew ensured that Elliott received the support he needed to complete his qualification and fulfill his dream.

Elliot was thankful that his and Andrew’s schedules complimented each other, commenting on the fact Andrew was only a phone call away (even in the first week of the New Year!).

The results

Elliot has successfully completed his CPC30211 Certificate III in Carpentry and has landed a supervising role in Alice Springs. Elliot is always keen to broaden his knowledge and would like to continue studying in the future.

“Just get in and do it!”

Mature Aged Student

Gary Roberts

Background

Research shows¹ that lifelong learning yields significant wider benefits for individuals, including their health and wellbeing. Vocational qualifications offer people important, relevant technical qualifications, and help develop important soft skills such as communication, self-management and resilience – which businesses increasingly desire.

Savvy apprentices / trainees and other vocational learners who earn while they learn, also enjoy the benefits of on-the-job training, and in particular contrast, have the financial independence than those who have taken the university route, lumbered with debt at the conclusion of their studies.

The Challenge

“I didn’t think I was smart enough to get qualified”

Gary’s story is not unlike many mature tradesman working in the construction industry today. Gary has been employed for twenty years with Jacaranda Services. Working alongside Bryce (his employer), Gary was exposed to full learning over this period of time. Whilst Gary was encouraged over those years to ‘get qualified’ his deep and crippling self-belief that he was ‘not smart enough’ to actually gain a qualification, left him ‘working in the cracks’ of his industry – Wall and Floor Tiling.

Gary conducted and produced work of a tradesperson, knowing the ins and outs of his trade, he was able to develop his skills and knowledge in a very practical sense. Over the years, Gary’s self belief or self-sabotage of his inability to move forward with a vocational qualification, left him getting older, as the industry changed around him, and the desire for Bryce to step back – time and pressure on Gary was mounting.

Gary had some learning challenges around reading and writing – this also supported his belief of his inability to undertake let alone complete any qualification.

The Results

“You just have to do it…it’s changed everything!”

Through encouragement, support and a shift in belief, Gary was able to complete a Certificate III in Floor and Wall Tiling Apprenticeship (CPC31311).

“I achieved my qualification and have secured my future in the business, as my employer in time, will be handing over the business to me to operate, now being qualified I am more confident in doing so.”