Matt's A Star But Still Can't Get Work
Illawarra Mercury
Saturday August 27, 2005
WITH just six months' experience, Matt Goode claimed gold at a regional competition for apprentice carpenters and is now preparing to compete nationally.
But the promising tradesman could be forced to give up his career because he has been unable to find an employer to take him on since he was retrenched two months ago.Matt, 17, completed a pre-apprenticeship course last year and this week will finish all the theory work for the carpentry apprenticeship, which means he can work five days a week instead of the normal four for an apprentice.He also owns his own tool belt and some tools and has a green card and transportation.But despite being an award-winning apprentice with obvious potential, Matt is suffering from a lack of demand for unqualified carpenters in the Illawarra.A spokesperson for the Illawarra Business Chamber, which is working to find Matt a job, said there were plenty of advertisements for qualified carpenters but employers were reluctant to take on trainees.Matt has sent his resume and rung every carpentry business in the region without luck."If I don't get (an apprenticeship) in the Illawarra area I'll be looking towards Sydney," he said.Matt, who lives in Mt Warrigal, said his former boss ran out of work about two months ago and had to retrench all his staff.He proved his skill last week when he came first in the Illawarra WorldSkills Competition.Matt is expected to compete at national level next year, but he said it would be difficult to train if he was not working in the industry.
© 2005 Illawarra Mercury