Nick Lohrey: School-based Trainee Gets a Head Start
QLD School-based of the Year for 2015, Nick Lohrey, has fast tracked his Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade (Diesel Mechanic) by commencing the qualification while still at school.
His host company, Anglo American Coal, has given Nick a head start while also getting the opportunity to develop a quality tradesperson from start to finish.
Where did it all start?
Back in 2012, Nick Lohrey joined a program in the mines while still in Year 10 working in different departments, which lead to starting a school-based apprenticeship in Year 11. Nick started the Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade (Diesel Mechanic) once a week with Anglo American Coal while balancing school and social commitments.
“It’s changed me and the way I go about things; it’s made me more motivated, given me more drive and improved my work ethic and time management. When you’re working long hours, you learn to manage your time better. I'm constantly learning.”
Where are they now?
Nick finished his TAFE training as a school-based apprentice in the first year of his two year training plan, which helped him translate his career into a full time apprenticeship. He's now a second year apprentice with Anglo American Coal, having fast tracked part of the certificate as a school-based. Nick is always looking for little jobs to assist in making the job a little easier for the tradesman; even if it’s cleaning the work area before and after each shift and making sure all the required tools are on hand.
Want to build your tradesperson from the ground up?
Nick has learnt a number of highly valuable skills both as a school-based and as a young apprentice that has enabled him to become a valuable part of the field work team. Over the next three years of his apprenticeship, Anglo American will be able to further guide and mould Nick into being the kind of tradesperson they value most.
MIGAS facilitates school-based apprenticeships and traineeships on a National scale, and have dedicated community liaison officers available to source the perfect school-based worker.