We recently dropped in on-site to chat with our trainer Wade White, who has been training apprentices for over 20 years.
If you’re thinking of becoming a trainer yourself or want to see what’s involved in undertaking your apprenticeship, check out the whole interview below.
Trainer Name: Wade White
Age: 40
Industry Experience (in years): 20+
Current Job Title: Trainer and Assessor
Q. What motivated you to become a tradesman in building and construction:
I enjoyed working outside and working with my hands. The feeling of accomplishment when seeing something that you have constructed is rewarding. Working on differing jobs from day to day, as well as working on different aspects of construction, from new house builds to small renovations.
Q. How did you become a trainer:
After completing a Bachelor of Education and teaching in the High school system I realised I really enjoyed teaching the older students in the Vocational subjects. This lead me down the path of becoming a trainer and passing on both theoretical knowledge and practical skills to students undertaking training, helping and mentoring them as they gain their respective trade qualifications.
Q. What’s the best part about being a trainer:
Seeing the students grow in confidence as they progress through the training experience. Being on different sites each day and seeing the different ways in which projects are completed also aides in me learning new and evolving techniques while visiting various sites.
Q. Do you use different training methods in your delivery:
Yes. Different learning styles suit different learners. Once training commences, I work with the employer and student to work out which method best suites their organisation and put that in place going forward. Some students are better suited to a structured training system which we can implement, while others work better in a self-paced environment completing training requirements outside of work and general day to day commitments.
Q. What’s the student / employer feedback on our worksite delivery:
They absolutely love it. Students enjoy the fact they can learn more on the job all week and not have to do classroom based learning each week. Employers enjoy the fact they have a more productive workplace and don’t lose students off site each week. Employers have said that they also feel more involved in training as they have regular contact with the students trainer and know what they are up to in their training.
Q. What qualifications do you hold:
Bachelor of Education
Cert IV Training and Assessment
Cert III Carpentry
Cert III Formwork/Falsework
Cert III Concreting
Q. What is your average day / week like (what do you do?):
My average week involves me getting out and seeing around 10 students during the week. Spending time with them on site going through theory, and practical activities on site. There is also a lot of paperwork to complete after site visits have finished, marking assessments and filing of video evidence gathered on site. Then its about getting on the phone to employers and organising visits for the following week.
Q. What do you do for fun:
I am a passionate golfer and try to get out and play most weekends when time allows. Also enjoy spending time with my family and getting out and enjoying different places in and around the Hunter Valley. I would class myself as a bit of a sports nut, watching any type of sport that is on TV at the time, even the mighty Bulldogs in the NRL (even when performing poorly).
Q. What’s the best thing about building and construction:
It is ever evolving. There are no two days the same, and you never stop learning. The way in which buildings are constructed now is not only many times faster than in years gone by, but also has higher standards to abide by during the construction process. Some of the fascinating things we get to see from 72 story high rises in the commercial sector to residential homes with fully functional lifts that carry 2 cars to underground garages.
Q. What’s the best thing about being a trainer:
Passing on knowledge to the next generation of tradies. Giving them tips that’s I have learnt along the way that make certain aspects easier for them in the long term. Being on different sites each day, seeing the varying ways in which each organisation maintain a safe productive workplace.
Q. From your experiences, what makes a good trainer?
Rapport with the student and employer. Having flexibility when liaising with employers to ensure you don’t disrupt productivity too much, but ensuring you maintain up to date with contractual obligations as far as the students learning is concerned. Ensuring there are open lines of communication to both the employer and student is imperative to maintaining a smooth training experience.
Q. Any advice for tradie’s looking to break into the training industry?
If you enjoy passing on your knowledge and don’t mind paperwork, then training is ideal for you. It is a rewarding yet challenging career that along with industry itself is ever changing.
Legend. Thanks Wade!
Want to get going on your apprenticeship or don’t know where to start? We will support you from start to finish, from providing ongoing training and support to finding the right employer for you.
For more info, give the guys a call on 1300 4 CWBTS (1300 4 29287) or drop us an enquiry here.
There’s currently a huge demand for trainers in building and construction. Check out our jobs board for opportunities, and please get in touch if you think training might be a carer for you.
