Late last year 18 year old Harry Brickles began to seriously contemplate what career path he wanted to follow for the rest of his life.
Having just finished Year 12, Harry’s school results could have given him direct entry into university but instead he decided to follow his passion and secure an automotive light vehicle apprenticeship during BUSY At Work’s GC101 campaign.
Now twelve months into his apprenticeship with Grand Motors at Southport, Harry is keen to play a key role as one of six inaugural ambassadors for this year’s campaign.
Since starting his apprenticeship Harry has been kept busy learning about what’s involved in maintaining an automotive workshop from the ground up.
As well as developing his hands-on mechanical skills under the watchful eye of senior technicians, Harry has been learning customer communication skills, car detailing and grooming skills and how to use chemicals in the environment responsibly.
“Going to Uni was not really an option for me. I’ve been interested in cars since I was eight years old and it’s always been more than just a hobby.”
“Through BUSY At Work’s GC101 campaign I was able to get interviews for this job within a week of finishing school last year and soon had a fulltime job in a career I wanted to be in for the rest of my life.”
“Every day I get to go to work and be paid for learning more about cars and extend my knowledge in a field I am passionate about,” Harry said.
While having just started out in his career, Harry already has firm goals about where he wants to be in the future.
“I want to continue to develop my knowledge especially in the Toyota brand. Toyota is leading the way in hybrid technology and it’s an area I would like to specialise in. Eventually I would be keen to have my own workshop one day,” Harry said.
Now about to enter the second year of his apprenticeship, Harry is keen to support BUSY At Work’s GC101 campaign and see more apprentices working in the trades.
“Going through BUSY At Work certainly made things easier for me. As an established apprenticeship provider they were able to give me all the information and support I needed through the process.”
“It takes time to learn all the skills in the trade so it’s important to always ask questions and make sure you do things correctly. As you get more experienced it becomes more hands-on as you go.”
“Working in a car dealership is a great environment and the technicians are always willing to pass on their knowledge and experience,” Harry added.
Grand Motors Service Manager, Peter Signorini said the company was committed to taking on new apprentices and was pleased to support and help BUSY At Work achieve its campaign target.
“Apprenticeships are the lifeblood of our industry. We always need to hire new young passionate people to help grow our business.”
“Because the automotive trades have advanced so much in recent years, we look for Year 12 school leavers, boys or girls, who have a passion for learning new things, have some academic abilities and good hand skills.”
“BUSY At Work is our preferred apprenticeship provider and we are fully supportive of this campaign,” Mr Signorini said.
BUSY At Work, Managing Director Paul Miles urged local businesses to get behind the new GC101 Apprenticeship campaign and take on a new apprentice or trainee.
“As specialists in apprenticeship support services BUSY can provide businesses with everything they need to employ an apprentice including relevant information regarding Australian Apprenticeships and the Government Incentive Program’s available.”
“We are committed to bringing youth unemployment down on the Gold Coast and are ready to make the employment process as easy as possible,” Mr Miles said.
Last year BUSY signed up 105 school leavers and young people into apprenticeships, as well as 279 school-based trainees and apprentices during the six week campaign.
Employers can contact BUSY on 13 28 79 or go to busyatwork.com.au/gc101
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Leanne Macnamara, Public Relations Coordinator
0438 173 960 | leanne.macnamara@busyatwork.com.au
