TAFE NSW Cowra Construction teacher Wayne Saunders describes talented young local student Janama Lambshead as a trailblazer, and a perfect example that hard work does pay off.
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The 17-year-old has created history in the TAFE NSW Cowra Construction section, becoming the first Aboriginal student to gain an apprenticeship through the pre-apprenticeship course.
“The pre-apprenticeship carpentry course is aimed towards Year 10, 11 and 12 students and school leavers who are looking to get a head start in the building industry,” Mr Saunders said.
“Janama joined the course in 2017. I was able to find him some work during the winter holidays, and because of the hard work he demonstrated during this period, the team at Ray Clements Constructions offered him an apprenticeship.
“This is a real credit to Janama. He is a talented young student who’s willing to listen and learn, and a perfect example that you can achieve anything if you are dedicated and willing to work hard.”
That sentiment was not lost on Janama, who was thrilled to get an apprenticeship, but admitted the hard work was still yet to come if he was to achieve his long-term goals.
“When I started the pre-apprenticeship carpentry course my first goal was to get an apprenticeship with a local builder, and that was made possible thanks to Wayne and TAFE NSW,” Janama said.
“My goal is now obviously to become a fully-qualified carpenter. I’d then like to continue studying at TAFE, get my builders license and one day I wouldn’t mind starting my own business.”
Wayne said Janama was just one success story to come from the pre-apprenticeship carpentry course, with other students from Cowra – James Dedoncker (Craftsman Homes) and Zach Cook (NAC Constructions, Noel Cherry) - also gaining apprenticeships after completing the course.
“This demonstrates that studying at TAFE NSW not only ensures our students are job ready with practical skills and work experience, but we deliver exciting, real-life employment opportunities, especially in an industry that is suffering from a huge skills shortage,” Mr Saunders said.
Enrolments for a huge range of Construction courses for 2018 in Cowra and across western NSW are now being accepted.
For information, visit www.tafewestern.edu.au or phone 1300 823 393.