Tag: Trades

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Skillaroos – West Australia’s WorldSkills Champions at the Skills and Employment Expo. Good Luck in Lyon!

Proud. Excited and VERY good  at what they do.

There are six West Australian competitors heading off to France in early September where they will represent Australia to win recognition as best in the world in their chosen fields. 

All six of them are showing off their skills at the Skills and Employment Expo. 

They have just come back from a training competition in China where the Chinese competitors were trained at an organization that JUST trains competitors for WorldSkills type competitions. 

I ran into Lewis Italiano from Bunbury who did his cabinetmaking apprenticeship in at South Regional TAFE in Bunbury. His family is going over to WorldSkills to watch him compete. 

His expert lecturer from South Regional TAFE is Nick Johnston. Nick is going too.

Next to Lewis and Nick were Lachlan Gelavis and Kai Baharthah-King who are representing Australia in a Cyber Security Team Event. They had also been to the trials in China.

You can see from the screens behind them, they were busy “playing” with code.

These are our Champion Geeks. They are already working in industry. 

Congratulations to these six West Australians who are going to WorldSkills

  • Lewis Italiano – South Regional TAFE – Cabinet Making;

  • Jacob Dixon – North Metropolitan TAFE – Wall and Floor Tiling;

  • Antoinette Jackson – MPA Skills – Painting and Decorating;

  • Mitchell Rigney – North Metropolitan TAFE – Jewellery; and

  • Kai Baharthah-King and Lachlan Gelavis – North Metropolitan TAFE – Cyber Security (Team Event).

Who are the Experts?

WorldSkills Australia has also selected five Western Australians as Experts to coach the Skillaroos in the lead up to, and during, Lyon 2024.

WA Experts:

  • Nick Johnston – South Regional TAFE – Cabinet Making;

  • Liam Cochran – North Metropolitan TAFE – Wall and Floor Tiling;

  • Brendan Hibbert – North Metropolitan TAFE – Graphic Design Technology;

  • Ryan Goggin – North Metropolitan TAFE – 3D Digital Game Art; and

  • Todd Bell – Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety – Electrical Installation.

Good Luck to you all.

To learn more about the Skillaroos and their journey to Lyon 2024 visit www.worldskills.org.au/competitions/lyon-france

For the latest career information for West Australian High School Students Subscribe to In Focus Careers News.

Subscribe to In Focus Careers News

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Climate change sees growth in glass and glazier apprenticeship opportunities

Hi

My name is Justin Wakeling and I’m a Master Glazier in Western Australia. 

Justin Wakeling Master Glazier at GlassCo Metro

 

I’m Operations Manager  at Glass.Co Metro which is based in Canning Vale.

Glass Co Metro Canning Vale

How I got into being a glazier

I got my first job in the glazing industry in 2004 through a friend who was a factory foreman for a large glass and aluminium company. After working on the factory floor for a couple of months I was offered an apprenticeship. It has been a great industry to work in. 

The trend to light and airy houses in a time of climate change has seen the growth in double glazing to make sure homes are energy efficient. 

Trend to more glass with thermal properties

My industry has grown and changed as we deliver new solutions that help architects and builders to be more creative and deliver better thermal efficiency.

Photo from toughglass.com.au 

We learn how to use new tools and equipment to manufacture these solutions.

Design solutions in toughened glass

We also upgrade homes with new windows, shower screens and wardrobes. 

Your world opens up

Once you finish your apprenticeship your world really opens up. You can set up your own business as a manufacturer or installer. You can train the next generation of apprentices or get into sales, or estimates or project management. You could even get into research and development of future products.  

After three years of working as a qualified glazier you can apply to become a Certified Glazier and you can become a Master Glazier when you’re qualified and work in the industry for ten years. 

My Workplace

As a Master Glazier and Operations Manager at Glass Co Metro I work to assure that we do a great job, according to Australian Standards. I also need to look after the wellbeing and safety of my team while supporting the growth and great reputation of our company. 

Apprenticeships at Glass Co Metro

There are currently 6 apprentices at Glass Co Metro, and our apprentices have won multiple awards at State and National level.

We like to take on 2 new apprentices at each year level. Two apprentices are about to finish their training and qualify, so we will be looking to put on two new apprenticeships in the near future. 

Glass Co Metro Apprentice

Careers in Glass and Glazing 

Get in touch with me if you are interested in getting an apprenticeship at Glass Co Metro. I would be happy to chat. Contact me at: Justin Wakeling (08) 9473 9499

justin@glasscometro.com.au 

Find out about glazing apprenticeships and training:

Mike Hidderley, Glazing Lecturer North Metropolitan TAFE – Balga Campus michael.hidderley@nmtafe.wa.edu.au

Find out about industry engagement:

Janine Blake, Industry Consultant, Food Fibre and Timber Industries Training Council 0427 351 027 janine@fftitc.com.au

To connect with trends, people and ideas for the future, subscribe to In Focus Careers News