As an apprentice, being surrounded by skilled tradesmen with decades of experience can be very daunting. Luckily, our gutsy apprentices have not let this get to them at all.
Damien Day and Jett Hansen have spent the last year with Pump and Power learning and developing their mechanical and electrical skills among our experienced tradesmen. Blake Ashton is the newest apprentice on board at Pump and Power Centre. James O’Connell is an adult apprentice and about to sit the final capstone test to become a fully qualified electrician.
Our head mechanic (and local legend) Justin Rutherford has been overjoyed with the chance to share his knowledge and experience with the boys, both in and out of the workshop.
“I am always surprised at how motivated and professional these young men are and it is always a pleasure to work with them.”
Getting hands on experience in their chosen fields has been crucial to developing their skills and they have started to confidently work in remote areas and travel for onsite repairs. Justin also said that he is often ‘surprised by the tips and tricks that get [him] thinking and developing [his] management skills.’
Project manager Ben Dick says that the apprentices ‘bring a positive and youthful outlook to the workshop’ that extends to the office and onsite. Despite being ‘timid and shy at first,’ the apprentices have become valued members of our Pump and Power family, making the workplace a happier place to be.
We are eternally grateful for the Clontarf Foundation for helping us find incredible indigenous workers that have become great mentors for other young people to get into a trade and potentially work alongside their peers.
