Toby’s Apprenticeship Success Story

Toby Hawkins began his school-based apprenticeship (Cert III Engineering Fabrication) with host employer Tasweld Engineering in 2014.  In mid-2015, Toby was offered and took up a full time position at Tasweld Engineering part way through his Year 12. Toby said “leaving school mid-way through year 12 was a difficult decision but I was ready to work and was not going to knock back the opportunity to embark on a full time apprenticeship”.

During Toby’s apprenticeship he attended South West TAFE and was successful in winning best First Year Apprentice (Metal Fabrication) in 2015 and came second in the Second Year Apprentice (Metal Fabrication) in 2016.

Toby says that working alongside experienced tradesmen helped him to succeed. “Having the opportunity to travel and work in a variety of work places with Tasweld was a great way to learn and gain exposure in the industry”. Toby also said that constructive feedback given during his quarterly performance appraisals with Westvic Staffing Solutions gave him a sense of direction and helped him progress from an apprentice to a skilled tradesperson.

Now aged 20, Toby successfully completed his apprenticeship on 28 March 2018 and has secured full time employment at Tasweld Engineering. Toby wants to make metal fabrication his career and is looking forward to future opportunities.