Construction and metal fabrication have always been something Coonamble’s William Farrugia has been passionate about, so when looking for a career after school Bill, as he is known, looked at the joint Tafe and Skillset Skills4Trade program.
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Moving to Dubbo to chase his dream of having a career in the metal fabrication industry, Bill said he always enjoyed doing metal work at high school and wanted to get a welding apprenticeship.
“Completing the Skills4Trade course helped me build confidence to secure an apprenticeship with Hort Enterprises in Dubbo where I will complete a Certificate III in Metal Fabrication at TAFE NSW.
“Being in the engineering workshop and being hands-on means every day is different. I’d encourage anyone who’s willing to get their hands dirty and try out something new to complete the Skills4Trade course before entering into an apprenticeship,” he said.
Over the next two years Infrastructure, energy and construction is expected to claim a 17.2 per cent share of employment over the next two years due to current skills shortage and large-scale investments in the region.
TAFE NSW Regional General Manager Kate Baxter said during his 12 weeks in the construction course as part of the program Bill was a stand-out student.
“In that short period he made an immediate impression as someone who was mature and determined to succeed in the industry,” she said.
Skills4Trade is a collaboration between Skillset Workforce and TAFE NSW that was launched in 2016 to give young people a pathway into an exciting career and address regional unemployment and skills shortages in key industries.
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