A young carpenter who moved hundreds of kilometres away from home to take up an apprenticeship in the Illawarra has been named the region’s top apprentice carpenter by the Master Builders Association.
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Tommy Mulvihill, originally from Macksville in northern NSW, was lured to the Illawarra with the offer of a carpentry apprenticeship with Mincove Homes.
After moving in with Wollongong relatives, the 22 year-old embarked on his training, succeeding in both his work environment and his TAFE studies.
In his second year at TAFE he won an Outstanding Achievement award for Excellence in Practical Work and in his third year he was awarded an Excellence in Training award.
Mincove Homes general manager David King said after completing his HSC Tommy had found limited opportunities to learn a trade close to his childhood home.
“Mincove Homes took him on as an apprentice carpenter and he decided to move to a region that would provide greater prospects to follow his chosen career,” Mr King said.
“Tommy loves doing fit outs including doors and skirting, enjoys TAFE and working on quality builds.
“Receiving this award is the ultimate achievement for a young man who moved to the Illawarra region seeking an opportunity that was not available in his home town.”
Currently in the final year of his apprenticeship Tommy has quickly adapted to the Illawrra’s coastal lifestyle and said he was looking forward to completing his trade and planning his future in the region.
“There are a lot more opportunities down here for me,” Mr Mulvihill said.
“I am working on new homes from frames through to the final fit-out, so there is plenty of versatility. Its really good.
“There are more opportunities in every way down here. There are more jobs and its nice and close to Sydney and the airport.
“Recreation wise there is more to do as well. I like playing cricket and golf.
“Everything is falling into place,” he said.
Receiving this award is the ultimate achievement for a young man who moved to the Illawarra region seeking an opportunity that was not available in his home town.
- David King