Two SkillsTech Australia graduates will help combat skills shortages in the resource sector after receiving their formal qualifications today at the institute’s Acacia Ridge Training Centre.

SkillsTech Australia Institute Director Mary Campbell said the innovate Queensland created program saw the two adult apprentices complete their qualifications well ahead of time and offered employment in the resource sector.

“The National Apprenticeships Program (NAP) is a unique program which skills Australian workers by rigorously assessing their knowledge and abilities, then filling in gaps in training to enable completion of a trade qualification, potentially within 18 months,” Mrs Campbell says.

“Today, we congratulate our first two graduates both with AngloAmerican Metallurgical Coal: 35-year-old, Chris O’Brien who completed his diesel fitting apprenticeship within 10 months and 30-year-old, Ben Anderson who has also completed his electrical apprenticeship within 10 months.”

“As Queensland’s largest trade and technician training TAFE institute, SkillsTech Australia is proud to be the National Training Coordinator for this ground-breaking initiative.”

Chris O’Brien applied to NAP in May 2011 and at the time was employed as a shift coordinator for a Brisbane bus service; he was a licenced small engine mechanic.

“I had spent two years as a diesel technician in the UK, I could weld, fabricate and repair vehicles, but just never had the opportunity to become a qualified diesel fitter in Australia,” Chris says.

“I applied for NAP, completed the Recognition of Prior Learning process with SkillsTech Australia and I’m now employed by AngloAmerican Metallurgical Coal on their coal mine sites in Central Queensland as an apprentice.

“I am now a fully qualified diesel fitter employed by AngloAmerican Metallurgical Coal, which would not have happened without this program.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in NAP and SkillsTech Australia for helping me to fulfil my dream.”