It’s not often you hear of a highly-qualified medical specialist taking on an apprenticeship as a builder, it’s even rarer to find two in the same class, sharing the same apprenticeship.
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Shoalhaven residents Brad Carey, a radiographer of 18 years and Matt Ring an emergency nurse of 14 years, have decided to add carpenter to their titles.
The way they are going about it encapsulates the TAFE NSW value — study your way.
The pair, who have been mates since high school, are sharing a building apprenticeship, juggling their hospital rosters and studying Certificate III in Carpentry at TAFE NSW Nowra.
Mr Ring said their key move was to complete a six-month TAFE NSW pre-apprenticeship course, the Certificate II in Construction.
“The pre-apprenticeship course got us a little further ahead so we were able to use TAFE NSW employer connections and show a builder we were keen and already had a recognised qualification,” Mr Ring said.
“I’ve been wanting to be a builder ever since I left school. I’m at a point in my life where I want to do something different and build my own house is one of those things.”
He said he enjoyed the contrast between his medical career and the building industry with Shoalhaven builder Adam Weir.
Mr Carey said while two jobs and study was a hefty workload, he had wanted to be a builder for more than 10 years.
“I do afternoon shifts at the hospital to make this work,” Mr Carey said.
“As older students I think we probably tend to pay a bit more attention.
“We also have a bit more insight into life and where we want to be and how we are going to get there.
“We’re here to learn, but we have fun too,” he said.
You too can learn while having fun. Enrol now for Semester two. Visit www.tafensw.com.au to explore more than 1200 courses including certificates and degrees.
