5 minute read
FATHER-SON DUO TAP INTO GREATER SUCCESS
They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and once you speak with the highly affable and engaging Ben Hughes, you’ll quickly see why he’s just a chip off the old(er) block that is his dad, Phil – an equally spirited larrikin. So, it’s unsurprising then that the duo both found themselves drawn towards the same career, tapping into the opportunities available in the plumbing industry.
But what is unexpected is that it was 56-year-old Phil Hughes who followed in his son’s footsteps, taking up the trade later in life and joining Ben at his thriving business as one of his four employees.
Having recently completed a short course in Restricted Electrical Licence (REL) Skill Set (SSUEE0010) thanks to the Construction Skills Queensland funding he successfully applied for, Ben’s future–and plumbing business–has never looked brighter.
This course is a perfect combination of online and inclass learning that’s supported by great and very experienced teachers which, suits a business owner and busy dad like me down to a tee.
BEN HUGHES
A professionally qualified plumber, Ben first trained for and gained his Certificate III in Plumbing (CPC32420) at TAFE Queensland more than 10 years ago, before going on to build his business, Hughes Plumbing Contractors, from the ground up.
Always one to push and challenge himself, Ben followed this up a few years later by going on to complete the Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services (CPC40920), providing him with the advanced skills and knowledge required for him to offer a range of plumbing specialities.
It’s safe to say then that Ben, a proud Turrbul and Yuggera First Nations person and father of two girls, has become a bit of a fan of TAFE Queensland.
“I really enjoyed my previous studies and I chose to do the short course at TAFE Queensland this time around not only because I’m engaged with ongoing learning and development, but also because I wanted to upskill on a different level while gaining another qualification,” Ben said.
“This course was a perfect combination of online and in-class learning that’s supported by great and very experienced teachers, which suits a business owner and busy dad like me down to a tee.”
Running a busy family-operated business that serves clients from as far as Bundaberg and Gympie, across to Warwick and Toowoomba, and down to the Gold Coast, certainly keeps Ben on his toes.
With over 2200 clients on their books, Hughes Plumbing Contractors often gets asked to connect or replace hot water units as part of their service.
“Safety is our biggest priority, so it’s really important that we do this job safely and properly,” Ben said.
“Without this qualification, our customers would have to engage a third party to hook up their hot water system. We work in such a geographically diverse area that we have to have this skill, as sparkies aren’t always readily available, especially in rural and remote places.”
After watching on with pride as Ben grew his skills and subsequently his business, Phil found himself inspired to pursue a career change. Working as a labourer mending fences, Phil decided the physically demanding work was too much of a struggle and he needed to change his career prospects.
“I found fence mending tough as I got older and watching Ben grow his business and seeing it go from strength to strength made me realise there was a more viable future in being a plumber,” Phil said.
“So the decision to pick up some new skills, switch careers and study with TAFE Queensland wasn’t a hard one. I haven’t looked back since,” he said.
“While studying as a mature aged student has been hard because technology has changed so much, I’ve really enjoyed the challenge. The younger students—despite the odd joke— have been very patient with me, and the teachers are fantastic and so encouraging.”
Having since joined the growing ranks of aspiring plumbers who have completed their apprenticeship training at TAFE Queensland’s Nambour campus, Phil is now a self-declared ‘proud and qualified tradie’.
Like Ben, Phil is keen to grow his knowledge and skills, recently completing the Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services (CPC40920) and planning to also undertake the Restricted Electrical Licence (REL) Skill Set (SSUEE0010) short course.
While Ben has worked hard to grow his business and enjoys the diversity of his work, he’s not resting on his laurels just yet, with the goals of expanding his team (“but not so big that we aren’t a family business anymore”), becoming more tech-savvy, and achieving repeat business very much at the forefront of his plans.
As for Phil, he’s grateful to have a new direction – one that he sees himself as lucky to be able to navigate alongside his son.
“It’s been pretty special watching Ben grow from a little person who’s now running his own business and looking after our customers while supporting me.
“What I really like about our job is the trust that our customers place in us to help them fix whatever problem they have and for me, that is a real privilege.”
To find out how TAFE Queensland can help you grow your business by developing you and your employees’ skills, visit tafeqld.edu.au .
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