James was in the Australian Defence Force until an injury at 21 ended his military career.
Adjusting back to ‘normal life’ with a young family was a journey of ups and downs.
James worked in security, as a car salesman, train driver, owned his own mechanic business, worked as a labourer, and had jobs in the shipping and dredging industry.
Unfortunately, the nature of the industries and COVID-19 made James redundant twice. With another baby on the way, the pressure was on to find more sustainable and stable employment.
James heard about a maritime traineeship through a friend he served with, and although applications were closed, James used his initiative and introduced himself face to face, handed in his resume and was hired on the spot!
James was accepted into Community Solutions’ apprenticeship and traineeship program where he was able to earn and learn on the job. James completed a Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Master up to 24 metres Near Coastal) and completed his 2-year traineeship (hosted at Pacific Marine Group) in only 14 months. He was employed directly through Pacific Marine Group effective from the day after he completed.
What does a day in the life of Maritime Operations look like?
James’ new role has given him opportunities he hasn’t had before, including working on a research vessel for three weeks in the Great Barrier Reef. He feels grateful for the places he is able to see and the experiences he’s having now at this high moment of his career.
I got to go out to a reef way out in the Coral Sea, where it takes days to get there. It’s a sand island in this pristine environment, where you can see fish on the bottom 30-metres deep, it’s really special. Not many people have ever seen that before.”
“My kids motivate me. I need the money to support them, but I also want to be as present as possible, and this is the best of both worlds. I really do enjoy working with people too, I want to make sure everybody’s rocking along okay.
Community Solutions nominated James as one of only 25 people accepted into the annual “Todays Skills, Tomorrow’s Leaders” program at Government House in Canberra. James’ drive, motivation and passion were large contributing factors into why he was selected, with James’ Field Officer, Charlie Clark at Community Solutions, saying:
“James is a keen, hardworking individual who will do anything asked of him. He is driven to achieve greatness with the want of being nominated for awards as a trainee of the year. At every performance appraisal he strives to better himself with these results.
Having been a member of defence, James can lead and be an asset to a team. He showed this daily during his traineeship.”
The weeklong program focusses on strengths, interests and capabilities in order to create career clarity and direction and develop personal leadership skills. James found the course valuable and wishes he could do it all over again!
“The course was absolutely amazing. I wish I could do it all again. Everything was so positive, and it’s really going to help with my career and personal development.”
How does James’s attribute his success to Community Solutions?
I want to say one big thank you to Makeesha Sherrington and Charlie Clark. Lots of people said that I wouldn’t make it through this traineeship, just because of the hardships that you endure along the way. Without them, that probably would have been true. They were just so good. If I needed something, I could count on them.
What does James say to people today thinking about entering the industry?
Do it, we definitely need more people. Go get it, and don’t miss out. You get to see some really, really special things.
What’s next for James?
James is a permanent mate on one of Pacific Marine Group’s nicest vessels and working on a 2-year Townsville dredging project. In his time off he plans to do a third traineeship in Workplace Health and Safety and a Certificate III in Maritime Engineering Operations.
He also hopes to win the Community Solutions’ ‘Trainee of the Year Award’!
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