With a keen interest in welding, Joel left school at 15 to pursue a career in engineering and boiler making. He was successfully accepted into Community Solutions’ engineering pre-apprenticeship program, the perfect way to jumpstart his career.
I wanted something to keep me busy and kick-start my career. I like welding, and growing up, I always wanted to be a welder.”
Studying at Nambour TAFE on the Sunshine Coast, Joel completed a Certificate I in Engineering as part of Community Solutions’ 13-week pre-apprenticeship program. He learned a combination of theory, practical training, and a two-week work placement.
My TAFE teacher was a nice guy. We did different modules for the course, so we did all our theory work at our own pace, and then we would go into the workshop and do practical work for the rest.
I made a firepit, and it works so well. So, I was allowed to bring it home, and I’ve had a couple of fires with it.
Joel said
Community Solutions supported Joel throughout his course and found him a work placement opportunity at Australian off Road (AOR) who designs and manufactures robust, reliable off-road campers and caravans.
“They [Community Solutions] gave me so much, everything I needed, my PPE, my clothing. They came in and checked in on me all the time. They’re just so supportive.”
AOR, who have been around for over 20 years and are leaders in the industry, believed in Joel’s talent and ‘go get em’ attitude. So immediately after his placement, they officially took him on as their newest apprentice.
Joel is now employed as a full-time apprentice through Community Solutions, completing a two-year Recreational Vehicle Manufacturing apprenticeship hosted with AOR. He is building smaller custom-built caravans for clients and is extremely happy with how his life has changed in only a few short months.
It’s awesome. I honestly couldn’t be happier. Such a great group to work for [AOR]. They are giving me a lot of on-the-job support and training
Joel encourages anyone considering the pre-apprenticeship program to go for it!
Just do it. Honestly, just do it. Don’t hesitate, and if you think it’s too far away, it’s worth the distance. I’ve got a lot of value out of it.
After his apprenticeship, Joel wants to start a career as a professional boilermaker, explicitly working with aluminium. Joel has a keen eye for business, knowing the value aluminium has as the basis of a lucrative business.
We look forward to seeing what Joel sinks his teeth into next and know he has a bright future ahead of him.
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