Anthony Hughes is a confident young man who has tried his hand at a number of different careers over the years before deciding that boilermaking was his true calling.
Now 32, Anthony said he had always enjoyed welding and fabricating and when the opportunity came up to undertake a mature age apprenticeship with a growing engineering company in Chinchilla, Anthony grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
“Throughout my career I had worked in various jobs such as a horticultural trainee, beef boner, plasterer and sheet metal worker but working as a boilermaker is what I have really enjoyed doing the most,” Anthony explained.
Anthony signed up with MFE (formerly McMahon Fabrication and Engineering) Pty Ltd in June 2012 and has not looked back since. He completed his Certificate III in Engineering (Boilermaking) in November and is already considering his options in doing further study in diesel mechanics or small business management.
Anthony said his future was now looking secure and he believed the QGC Strengthening Local Workforces Program had played an important role in helping him get where he is today.
“I was already a fairly focused person but the monthly visits from the BUSY At Work Apprenticeship Support Officer kept me on track and ensured I could complete my apprenticeship early. Changing careers and getting a trade is one of the best things I’ve done,” Anthony said.
To date QGC has invested more than $3.5 million in the Strengthening Local Workforces Program which was launched in February 2012. QGC partnered with BUSY At Work to match apprentices and trainees with businesses outside the coal seam gas industry in regional Queensland. The program provides support, mentoring and coaching to help boost retention and completion rates.
MFE business owner Greg McMahon said it was very pleasing to follow Anthony’s progress during his apprenticeship.
“Anthony consistently worked hard and put in a great effort throughout his apprenticeship. I have always encouraged our employees to continually improve their skills both on and off the job and Anthony has always shown a willingness to take on further training to build his skills.”
“Our company has grown from a workshop team of one man in 2010 to now employing 27 people and Anthony is an integral part of our business moving forward,” Greg said.
Paul Miles, CEO BUSY At Work said it was pleasing to see mature aged apprentices achieving success in their chosen career.
“Through the support and mentoring assistance from the QGC Strengthening Local Workforces Program, Anthony has been able to find the right career choice that will give him confidence to embrace the future. He has set a great example for other employers to take on mature age apprentices,” Mr Miles said.
MEDIA CONTACT: Leanne Macnamara, Public Relations Coordinator
BUSY At Work
0438 173 960 leanne.macnamara@busyatwork.com.au
