Careers can take many different paths and while some students will focus on completing Year 12 students and then then going onto university for others they find great satisfaction in pursuing trade qualifications.
One of those that opted for the hands-on trade career was Cody Biffin.
He completed Year 10 in 2018 and then commenced his apprenticeship and is just about to go into his 4th and final year of his Heavy Diesel Mechanics trade.
His success in his chosen trade training saw him awarded one of the Bert Evans Apprentice Scholarships through the NSW Department of Education.
Named in honour of late NSW Apprenticeship Ambassador and patron of the NSW Training Awards, Mr Bert Evans AO, in recognition of his outstanding support for vocational education and training and for apprentices in NSW. Bert started his career in the manufacturing industry and developed a keen appreciation of apprenticeship training. He rose to become the head of the Metal Trades Industry Association
The aim of the Bert Evans Apprentice Scholarships is to assist NSW apprentices who have experienced hardship in their life to successfully complete their apprenticeship.
The objectives of this program are to:
- support apprentices to progress through to completion of their chosen trade calling
- encourage more apprentices to achieve their goals and make a valuable contribution to their local communities
- invest in individual development to support employment outcomes.
Recently Cody started his own company Big Wheels Contracting which he operates in his spare time.
His proud mother Brooke Purvis said I saw Cody's strengths and at 13 he starting working in an industry he really enjoyed. "He excelled at hands-on work and training rather than academic study but I think his success could show other kids if you are prepared to work hard you can really achieve and enjoy your career," she said.
Cody is now also working towards becoming a Justice of the Peace (JP).
Louise Nichols
From cattle to coal. Once a specialist agriculture writer today its about community, in particular, the Upper Hunter. I have lived and worked in the region for more than 30 years. Land use issues and the future direction of our region. But you cannot take ag out of the picture - our food and how we grow it is the basis of all life. Covering the Hunter and Mid North Coast rural issues is now part of my role with ACM.
From cattle to coal. Once a specialist agriculture writer today its about community, in particular, the Upper Hunter. I have lived and worked in the region for more than 30 years. Land use issues and the future direction of our region. But you cannot take ag out of the picture - our food and how we grow it is the basis of all life. Covering the Hunter and Mid North Coast rural issues is now part of my role with ACM.
