Having a skill beyond the football field is something Kevin Sheedy understands well, having completed a plumbing apprenticeship and working as a plumber for a number of years when he started his career in professional football.

‘Completing an Australian Apprenticeship was one of the best things I ever did. The skills I learnt set me up for life,’ Kevin said.

Now the coach of new Sydney AFL team, the Greater Western Sydney Giants, Kevin will work with the Australian Government to encourage Australians of all ages to realise their potential through an Australian Apprenticeship.

‘I encourage the guys in the team to have a balanced lifestyle. Football won’t last forever, but having a piece of paper that can set you up for life is crucial to a successful career after footy,’ Kevin added.

If you are interested in an Australian Apprenticeship and how to get started, download the An Australian Apprenticeship – A Great Career Option brochure.

Neil Perry is a prominent Australian chef, restaurateur, author and television presenter who appreciates the value of having well trained staff in his industry.

‘When I look for staff, I look for individuals who are keen to be qualified and are passionate about what they do,’ Neil said.

An employer of apprentices, Neil wants to ensure his team has the skills they need to operate the tools and equipment it takes to become a great chef.

‘Being a chef is not as easy as it looks. An Australian Apprenticeship is designed to combine work and study to gives you the hands-on, technical and practical skills you need to be work ready and prepared for any challenges that lie ahead,’ Neil added.

If you are interested in employing an Australian Apprentice and would like more information, download Employing an Australian Apprentice – A Smart Business Decision brochure.

Watch video of Neil Perry and find out why the opportunities are endless with Australian Apprenticeships!

Andrew Ryan played almost 300 games in a stellar 12 year National Rugby League (NRL) career and he knows only too well of the benefits of an Australian Apprenticeship during your career as well as for life after football.

“I played my best football when I was actively engaged in some activity away from the game, such as my landscape work,” said Andrew.

Andrew retired at the end of the 2011 season, and in his new role with the NRL Welfare and Education team he aims to ensure players combine some form of vocational education and training, including apprenticeships and traineeships, while chasing their dreams of becoming professional sportsmen.

Andrew is a great role model for the young players. He has combined a successful playing career, a trade certificate as a Landscaper, a Diploma in Marketing and is now a third of his way through a Sports Business Degree. If you are interested in an Australian Apprenticeship and how to get started, download the An Australian Apprenticeship – A Great Career Option brochure.

A love of animals and a determination to achieve her career goal sooner through an Australian School-based Apprenticeship has seen Jessica Pendlebury become the first student at her TAFE to complete a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing as an Australian School-based Apprentice. After successfully finishing a Certificate II in Animal Studies in Year 10, Jessica decided she wanted to be a fully qualified veterinary nurse by the time she completed high school in 2012.

‘There are just so many advantages to completing an Australian School-based Apprenticeship. You learn about your chosen field through TAFE, and then you are able to put your knowledge into practice while you are at work - it makes learning easier and more interesting,’

Thanks to the Australian School-based Apprenticeship Program at GOTAFE, Jessica has guaranteed employment with her current employer once she has completed her Year 12 Certificate and is considering her options of either working full-time or working part-time and undertaking further tertiary studies.

‘When I finish my Australian School-based Apprenticeship, I'd like to go to university to study Veterinary Science. I always wanted to be a veterinary nurse, but working in the clinic has shown me that Veterinary Science is what I want to do.’

Adding to her accolades, Jessica is also the current title holder of the Australian School-based Apprentice of the Year.

Watch an interview with Jessica Pendlebury.

If you are interested in starting an Australian School-based Apprenticeship and how to get started, download the About Australian School-based Apprenticeships factsheet.

A qualified fitter and turner, Colin Wilson worked in various jobs and industries for twenty years before deciding to pursue his passion for food and cooking. In 2008 with the support of his wife and family, he left his well paying job to undertake a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery.

Now a fully qualified chef after completing his Australian Apprenticeship and the recipient of the 2011 Australian Apprentice of the Year Award, Colin is passionate about encouraging others to follow in his footsteps.

‘Although it was a big decision to change careers, I believe you should follow a career path that involves something you are passionate about. I really believe that passion and planning were the keys to getting me through the last few years successfully,’ Colin said.

Determined to succeed, Colin used his maturity to his benefit while completing his Australian Apprenticeship.

‘I used my life experience to help me find the best way to get where I wanted to be. This helped me fast track my career by enabling me to gain competency in my studies as well as in the workplace.’

Colin now runs Chateau Yering’s award winning Sweetwater Café in Victoria’s Yarra Valley. This has inspired him to pursue management studies which has awakened a passion for teaching.

‘Once I complete my Certificate in Training and Assessment I hope to be able to teach commercial cookery part-time. I also plan to own and run a small restaurant and I'm constantly planning and refining my ideas for that.’

Watch an interview with Colin Wilson.

If you are interested in a change of career and are considering an Australian Apprenticeships pathway, download An Australian Apprenticeship – A Great Career Option brochure.