​Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical
Diploma of Mechanical Engineering
Bendigo TAFE Apprentice Student of the Year 2009 
Tom Connor Memorial Award 2009

By 2007, I’d been working at Thales as a labourer for four years. I couldn’t see how I could further my career at Thales without getting a qualification. Thales had just advertised for an apprentice fitter and turner and I realised, in my mid 20s, that an apprenticeship would be a great place for me to start. I applied for the position, was successful and began doing a Certificate III in Engineering (Mechanical Trade).

After completing the drafting module I knew I wanted to become a draftsman. I discussed my next steps with the training coordinator at Bendigo TAFE, and together we worked out what subjects I needed to get me there and I enrolled in the four design modules of the Diploma of Engineering (Mechanical). Having a teacher with a background in engineering and drafting was of great assistance. I streamlined my off-the-job training to get where I wanted to be as quickly as I could.

As I’d finished the classroom component of my apprenticeship early, I had some time to assist Bendigo TAFE in the development of a new resource, to help future students. This was not part of my apprenticeship assessment, but it was something that I was interested in, knowing it would benefit other engineering students.

Whilst completing my design modules I was offered a three month training position at Thales to work in the drafting area. At the end I was offered a permanent full-time role as a detail draftsman. I was then released early from my apprenticeship completing it in less than three years.

Without having done my apprenticeship and further study in design, there was no way that I would’ve been offered the job. I have come a long way since starting my apprenticeship.

"Having a teacher with a background in engineering and drafting was of great assistance. I streamlined my off-the-job training to get where I wanted to be as quickly as I could."