Apprenticeship To Success

–Scott, Lucas, John and Clayton –

To support our workforce and invest in the future, Huon has a strong focus on staff development, education and training. This is why we are currently supporting over 60 employees to complete apprenticeships so that they can gain the practical skills required for their roles.

Courses undertaken by Huon employees include Aquaculture III, Engineering Fabrication III, Marine Mechanical Technology III, and Work Health and Safety IV. “Employees selected for training have passed their probationary period, have demonstrated a willingness to learn and require specialised skills for their roles,” said Daniella Zappner, Huon’s Leaning and Development Officer. Apprenticeships are completed during work hours and they have the opportunity to complete practical assessments alongside workplace mentors. –“I cannot stress enough how important our workplace mentors are. Everyone says that having their guidance and support is what makes apprenticeships meaningful,” said Daniella. –

Clayton Delaney and John Walch provide ongoing mentorship to members of the Hideaway Engineering Workshop team notably to Scott Brazendale and Lucas O’Sullivan.

Before coming to Huon some 20 years ago, Clayton did an apprenticeship at Incat that skilled him up. “Doing an apprenticeship and having mentoring in the workplace gives you practical knowledge. You’ll pick up other skills along the way as well,” said Clayton. John is a firm believer that you get out what you put into your apprentices. “If you put a lot of care in you get something good out at the other end. We have a really good team of guys who take initiative and get out and have a go,” said John.

Clayton says that Scott Brazendale is really keen and interested in Auto Electrics “give him five years and you’ll end up with someone who is really multi-skilled.” Scott recently completed Certificate III in Automotive Technology and enjoys taking a hands-on approach. “I have always been a hands-on person. I like to know how things work and how to do things myself so that can not only save time but money as well,” said Scott. Of particular enjoyment to Scott was the wiring harness and control module part of his apprenticeship. “I really enjoyed taking all the random parts of cars and wiring them together to have them talk and control everything,” finished Scott.

–“The mentorship of my peers was invaluable. I work with a wide variety of highly skilled tradesmen, which made getting advice and completing my course very easy.” –

Lucas O’Sullivan is also based at Hideaway and is doing his Diesel Fitting course through TAFE. “I love working on bigger engines and also love the work whether it be break downs or diagnostic work especially when you can find a difficult fault and fix it,” said Lucas. Lucas has simple advice for future apprentices: “always ask questions, there's no such thing as a stupid question and try to learn from people who have done it.” Because of COVID, Lucas’ course work has been drawn out but the end is in sight. “Lucas is going really well—he’s always keen to learn and is very appreciative especially of what John has to offer. He’d be finished his course if it wasn’t for COVID, but we’re working around this to get his final assessments done via video,” finished Clayton.

–Apprenticeships aren’t only available to farm-based employees; Huon has put office-based employees including Daniela Hidaka through further training. –

Daniela works in Huon’s Work Health and Safety team and recently completed a Certificate IV in WHS.

“The WHS area has always been of interest to me and I know that it is of paramount importance in all workplaces in Australia. Despite working in the Environment, Health and Safety area for 20 years, I obtained my qualification abroad and I was looking forward to expanding the skills learned in my home country,” said Daniela. Daniela’s course was run through Swinburne University and it has allowed her existing overseas qualifications to be recognised. “The course allowed me to formalise my experience through an accredited and recognised certificate in Australia. The course was excellent—not only did we learn the best way to create a safe work environment in different areas, but we also studied specific legislation and regulations, we learned about educational WHS tools and how to apply these tools safely in the workplace.” For Daniela’s manager, Stuart Lovell, investing in his team is all about finding ways to support their professional and personal growth. –Daniela Hidaka –

–“I always encourage my team to look at personal development and Dani’s course has had a direct positive impact on her role at Huon as she looks after the OHS Management System which includes reporting to me on the OHS Performance of the Business,” said Stuart. –

The people spoken to for this story, and the dozens more currently in training, demonstrate that education never really stops and there’s pathways within Huon to attain new skills. Importantly, this could never be achieved without the ongoing support, guidance and mentorship of their managers and colleagues.