Passing the mantel: When the apprentice becomes the teacher

At Master Builders, we take pride in knowing that our apprentices do reach their career goals in the industry. It is extra special when our apprentices take what they have learned and pass it on to help the next generation of apprentices reach their potential.

Former Master Builders apprentice, Billy Tao, completed his Certificate III in Carpentry in 2020 and is now a training supervisor to third-year carpentry apprentice, Adam Ruben. Together, they form a skilled team working on an addition and renovation project for our training employer, Locagroup Building and Maintenance Pty Ltd, in Vaucluse.

We caught up with Billy and Adam on-site to learn more about the ‘carpentry circle of life’ and the role that Master Builders has played in their careers.

Billy, tell us about how you approach being a Training Supervisor?

“I learned from different foremen during my apprenticeship. I learned the different ways each team works, their efficiencies and how they move the project forward. I take the best of what I learned and use it in my current role. I view my supervisory role as making sure the job is completed to schedule. And at the same time helping my apprentice Adam become a quality carpenter.”

Tell us about your own Master Builders apprenticeship experience from those years ago?

“It was fun! I was learning every day and I was always encouraged to push myself to improve. That’s why I know it’s important to give Adam lots of opportunities to get stuck in and do carpentry work. I teach him about efficient ways to approach tasks and offer him plenty of feedback to help him be his best. In return, Adam helps me by keeping the workflow going when I’m busy with paperwork. We make a good team and it’s satisfying to see his quick development onsite.”

Adam, tell us about your Master Builders apprenticeship experience?

“I was doing contract work previously for other builders and I was always interested in construction and design. So, the decision to start my apprenticeship to gain my Carpentry qualification was an easy one. Master Builders helped me find a suitable builder to work with, and I am grateful to be here with Billy supervising and teaching me on-the-job. I really feel like Master Builders did all the hard work for me to get started”.

Tell us about your favourite part of the job?

“I enjoy all aspects of the job, because in the end, all the hard work goes in to building something beautiful. But one of favourite parts about the job, and something Billy has taught me, is that this is a job that requires problem solving. It makes you think all the time about how you can accomplish overcoming challenges on the go”.

With continued support from his Training Employer Locagroup Building and Maintenance Pty Ltd, and the on-the-job training with Billy, we wish Adam all the best in completing his Carpentry apprenticeship. This is just the beginning of his career in building and construction. Not only is this a career, for many this is a way of life.

In the near future, we hope to see qualified Carpenter Adam passing on his skills to a new generation of carpentry apprentices, encouraging and helping them reach their potential.

If you would like to know more about how Master Builders can help you with a career in building and construction, or if you are thinking about taking on an apprentice, visit our website www.mbaapprenticeship.com.au, or call us on 02 8586 3533.