Case Studies

Atlas Heavy Engineering

Australian Trade College North Brisbane student-apprentices are the future for Atlas Heavy Engineering and the metal engineering industry. At just 16 & 17 Aaron Jensen, Scott Dunn, Tim Lisle, Karl Edwards and Ben Keys are well on their way to a career in this industry.

Atlas Heavy Engineering who specialise in the production and heavy metal fabrication of earth moving machinery attachments, have landed a large contract and built a second worksite. Employing the Australian School-based Apprentices from the College is part of the evolution to building success and continuing business expansion.

Amidst an industry workers shortage and the large draw to the mining industry, General Manager Rex Vegt has identified the need to recruit employees for the heavy metal fabrication business. "The preference is to top them up from the bottom up through apprentices. The reason is they are the future to our business."

Rex believes the value that student-apprentices are bringing to the business is due to several key factors that the College offers. "Our perception is that it is the selection process initially that means you get a very good quality apprentice." He added that this is backed up with a support process that ensures ease for employers.

At the College the student-apprentices work towards completing their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) and ASbA by working one month at College and one month at work. "We learn our trade at College and then come to work to improve our skills", said Karl Edwards.

Daryl Daley, Manufacturing Manager at Atlas Heavy Engineering, says, "These young men have what it takes to be a success in this trade. The quality of these apprentices is exceptional and they are going very well. They add value from the day they start".

The future of our local industry certainly looks bright with more and more companies providing fantastic opportunities for local young people.

Sharon Seiler

Sharon joined the Australian Trade College in 2008 and has chosen Carpentry for her Apprenticeship. As part of her Structured Workplace Learning, Sharon spent a week with Melaway Carpentry on a building site in North Lakes.

"It is certainly more hands on than at College, also a lot harder and it certainly gives you a real taste for what it is like in the workplace" says Sharon. She has enjoyed her first few weeks at College and was looking forward to attending the Pindari camp.

Wayne Smith of Melaway Carpentry says "I am impressed by the quality of student-apprentices that come from the Australian Trade College North Brisbane and the fact that they are willing to learn. The local Building and Construction Industry has for a long time suffered poorly trained apprentices and the local Industry will certainly benefit by the establishment of the Australian Trade College North Brisbane."

Robert Savage

Robert, an Electrical student-apprentice, spent six months in the town of Charleville extending the learning of his trade while working on a commercial project. He says "The Australian Trade College North Brisbane is great as I did not have to find my Employer, they did all the hard work for me. I especially like the rotation of 4 weeks at College and 4 weeks in the workplace."

Robert's school-based Apprenticeship is with Aspark Pty Ltd. Terry Blake his immediate supervisor has been impressed with the quality of the student-apprentices and says "The student-apprentices we have taken on from the Australian Trade College North Brisbane have been hard-workers with a willingness to learn. I have also found the support from the College invaluable."