Sharing the right tools of the trade
Sydney Morning Herald
Thursday November 5, 2009
Fourth-year Apprentice of the Year (joint winners): carpentry and joinery Shamus Long, Southern Cross Constructions(NSW); Joseph Maniago, Brisland. BUILDING is in Shamus Long's blood; both his grandfathers were carp-enters and three of his uncles are involved in the building industry.But there is one family member who has not followed the Long's trade tradition. My old man is a teacher, he laughs. He's too soft to do it [carpentry]. But he is very supportive of what I do."Based in Wollongong, Long travels about two hours each day to work. He also attends the Wollongong Campus of Illawarra Institute TAFE for a four-day block once a month.But Long doesn't act too fussed. I've always wanted to do this since I was a kid," he says.The 22-year-old's combination of commitment and positivity is what the judges noticed."He is a credit to his commitment in striving for excellence," says judge Donna King. "He is a very laid back fellow but is very diligent in his studies and in the workplace."What also impressed the panel is his knowledge of transforming plans and drawings into finished details. It was also noted that Long gave up playing junior representative rugby for the Shamrocks Rugby Club."He wanted to spend all his time on his apprenticeship and basically put his social activities on hold," King says.Joint winner Joseph Maniago may not have any family members in the business but the judges and his workplace believe the 21-year-old is a natural at his chosen trade. In the past month Maniago has prematurely gone from being an apprentice to a full-time tradesman.My boss thought I was eligible to be a tradesman and has given me an early release," he says.The Illawong local says he ditched university in a bid to start a trade and thought carpentry was the best option. I wanted to do a trade because I would get the hands-on skills to become a supervisor in the future.The keen carpenter completed his Certificate III in carpentry at Suther-land College, TAFE, and is about to finish his diploma in building at TAFE's St George College.According to the judges, Maniago won because of his strong leader-ship skills, great academic record and maturity."In his theoretical studies he has achieved outstanding results and he has also performed at a high practical level in his employment and his apprenticeship."King says the panel found it impossible to choose who was the best apprentice for the award. "They were both of a high calibre, so much so we had to give the award to both of them."
Β© 2009 Sydney Morning Herald