By Jessica Micallef
James Woollard has reached a new career goal.
The Benloch resident won the Apprentice of the Year: Engineering (Fabrication) award at Bendigo TAFE’s annual Industry Excellence Award ceremony earlier this month.
The 27-year-old said he was proud of his achievement.
“I was very excited to receive the award,” he said. “It meant all the hard work that I had put in got recognised.”
Mr Woollard previously studied a certificate III in heavy fabrication at Bendigo TAFE. He started an apprenticeship with Woodend’s Barker Trailers three years ago.
“I was with another company and that didn’t work out for me,” he said.
“I walked in the door [at Barker Trailers] one day and asked for a job and that was it. I enjoy the variety at Barker Trailers because there is never a trailer that’s exactly the same, which means your job is always different … some trailers take seven days to build and then others might take a full 45-day build.”
Working in engineering has always been a dream of Mr Woollard’s. He said the skills and knowledge he learnt while at school has helped him during his career.
“It’s always been what I have wanted to do. I have always made stuff all my life,” he said.
“Stuff you learn at work you can apply at trade school and the stuff you learn at trade school you can apply at work.
