As proud sponsors of the 2020 ‘Apprentice of the Year Awards’, the team at Ricky would like to introduce this year’s entrants. All apprentices have been training for eighteen months in their respective levels. We wish them all the best of luck and look forward to seeing their projects.
Name: Callum Jericevich
Darling Downs Tarpaulins
1st year apprentice
What drew you to joining the industry? I joined the industry by chance, but once I had an adequate understanding of what the industry and job was about, I was intrigued. It is not an extremely common trade, and it is one that is highly sought after, and after a few weeks I was hooked.
What is the best part of your role? I would say the best part of my role is just daily experience. Every day in the sheds is a new day to learn and add to what pre-existing knowledge I already have. There is a lot of on-the-job learning and teaching that happens.
What has been your favourite project to work on? My favourite project to work on was a selection of carpark covers we did. It required a lot of hours and was extremely difficult at some points, but seeing it put up was rewarding and a nice experience to see what happens to the jobs after we make them.
Would you encourage your mates to join the industry? I would encourage my friends to join the industry because it is such a unique line of work. There are many aspects to what we do and many jobs to be done day in and day out. Each day presents a new challenge.
Where do you see yourself after you’ve completed your apprenticeship? I see myself continuing my work with DDT for as long as they’ll have me. It is a constructive environment and has helped me with progressing in my field of work, and also building on myself as a person.
Name: Samuel Morris
K1 Marine Trimming
1st year apprentice
What drew you to joining the industry? I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work within the textile industry under Morley Canvas. At first, I was only doing basic tasks, but the allure of the sewing machine fascinated me, I was amazed at how you could create a variety of products with just some material, fasteners and a machine. It was at that point I became more interested within the industry, and I wanted to learn more, learn how to sew, and fabricate with textiles. Since growing and learning within the industry, I know I had a passion, and that passion was Marine Trimming. I saw the work of many Marine Trimmers on the Internet and through the Specialised Textile Association, and I knew I what I wanted to do. I was fortunate enough to be accepted for an apprenticeship under K1 Marine Trimming, and I haven’t looked back. I am enjoying all of the challenges and rewards of my time at K1 and look forward to learning more.
What is the best part of your role? Because I work for a small company, I am fortunate enough to be exposed to a majority of the work that is completed. I love the fact I am able to see a job through from start to finish, and have worked in its patterning, fabrication, and final completion. The best part of my role would be to see the final product, all the hard work has paid off, the final product is perfect, and the client is happy, a perfect combination.
What has been your favourite project to work on? Yacht spray dodgers have always fascinated me, I affectionately coin them ‘space helmets’ much to the amusement of my boss. If I had to pick one dodger project, I would say the polycarbonate yacht spray dodger project we completed earlier on in the year. There are a few more challenges to fabricating this style of spray dodger, and the results are astounding, the clarity of the clear windows left me speechless, I’m sure the client had a similar reaction to myself.
Would you encourage your mates to join the industry and why? Marine Trimming is a very rewarding trade, as are other trades within the textiles industry. I would encourage my mates, as well as other individuals wanting to join the industry to pursue this as a career. My piece of advice is that that it takes a lot of time to become proficient in terms of fabrication skills within the industry. You are not able to master all aspects of trimming within a short period of time, it takes many years to hone in your skills, and even then you are still learning. I love the support network of trimmers within the industry, and it is great to see individuals’ and businesses coming together to help grow and continue the learning curve within the industry. This camaraderie is what makes our industry unique and rewarding for anyone wanting to join.
Where do you see yourself after you have completed your apprenticeship? I have heard others say once you complete your apprenticeship, you then start your second apprenticeship right after, as the learning never stops throughout your career. I want to continue to work and grow under the leadership at K1 Marine Trimming for the foreseeable future, I want to work towards creating a bigger and brighter future for the company and see personal and business success. I would love to eventually train apprentices and guide them into the industry, with the tools to thrive, and to adhere to a high standard of workmanship.
Name: Sarah Rodgers
Top Quay Trimmers
2nd year apprentice
What drew you to joining the industry? I grew up living on an island in Pittwater and have been around boats all my life .I was working at The Quays Marina as a dock hand, while there I was introduced to the Marine trimming industry it instantly drew my attention. I was offered a job doing work experience with the trimmers and I grew to love it.
What is the best part of your role? I get to work in an outdoor environment with some great people.
What has been your favourite project to work on? We recently had to work on making an all over cover for an Axopar 37 really tricky and intricate and really gets you thinking.
Would you encourage your mates to join the industry and why? Absolutely I would encourage my mates to join this industry it’s such an amazing job I get to make all sorts of cool things not to mention working by the water and every job is something different
Where do you see yourself after you have completed your apprenticeship? After I finish my apprenticeship, I will look at possibly taking over the business from my boss or moving up to Queensland and working there.
Name: Samantha Kearney
EH Brett
2nd year apprentice
What drew you to joining the industry? I was drawn into the industry through my interest in crafts and working with my hands, I knew I would get the support and training needed through an apprenticeship.
What is the best part of your role? The best part of my job is being able to see a job from drawing to finished product.
What has been your favourite project to work on? My favourite project to work on would have to be at Taronga Zoo, I got to travel for work and work on both the installation and manufacturing side of the job
Would you encourage your mates to join the industry and why? I would absolutely encourage mates to join, I have made so many friends within the industry, it's such a diverse trade, there's no time to get bored.
Where do you see yourself after you have completed your apprenticeship? I see myself expanding my skills further and getting more involved in the industry in all aspects.
Name: Tristan Farquharson
Darling Downs Tarpaulins
2nd year apprentice
What drew you to joining the industry? I started off as a labour and watched what the tradesman did for work and found interest in that to take on an apprenticeship.
What is the best part of your role? The outcome of a job you have completed and seeing how it works feels amazing.
What has been your favourite project to work on? Solarweave and shade tunnels, I find them very interesting and nice to look at.
Would you encourage your mates to join the industry and why? Yes, the industry is very interesting with great people to work with. You know a lot about things you thought you never would.
Where do you see yourself after you have completed your apprenticeship? To stay at darling downs Tarpaulins and further my career here. Or if i did move towns still stay in the canvas industry.
Name: Marcus Lehman
Darling Downs Tarpaulins
2nd year apprentice
What drew you to joining the industry? Coincidence. I knew someone who’s partner was in the industry and they were looking for workers.
What is the best part of your role? Working in an industry that is by and large unknown by the public can be rewarding in some ways because I get to work on projects that most people wouldn’t know where to start on. It also provides a specific set of skills that are applicable across a wide range of occupations.
What has been your favourite project to work on? I really enjoy ute tonneaus or canopies, as they offer a particularly specific challenge in the custom nature of the project, as well as the necessity for precision sewing and fitting.
Would you encourage your mates to join the industry and why? If they were interested in a physically demanding job that not many people have an opportunity to do, then yes. However, it certainly isn’t something that just anyone can do.
Where do you see yourself after you have completed your apprenticeship? Continuing to gain experience and refine the skills I have worked so hard to learn.