Employer Profiles: Josh's Employer

David McFarlane, McFarlane Engineering

1. Allowing an employee to participate in Worldskills/ MTC obviously requires
a significant commitment from yourself. Can you explain your reasons for
supporting such involvement?

I see it as a positive thing for character and experience building, it’s a positive thing for Josh and hopefully flows on to the business. It’s only a small business, so the difference when we work together, is huge. From my background, I’ve noticed the difference between people’s output and enthusiasm comes from the job, if their being tested and challenged. It certainly has opened Josh’s eyes a lot. If it broadens his experience, it’s a plus. Well, it already has; how he conducts himself, because MTC raises the bar. Also there are not a lot of positive things in engineering, but this certainly is. It is something for Josh to focus on.

If I were Josh, I would have liked someone to do the same for me. I see how hard he is trying in his own time, the challenges he has in working with the team. I think if he didn’t have this, he wouldn’t be channelling all his energies into his trade.

I’ve worked in large businesses and it’s hard for individuals to be properly encouraged. In this small business, individuals, that maybe in a different environment may not be achieving, can be nurtured.

2. How do you think your employee's participation in Worldskills/ MTC has impacted upon their work practices?

I can’t help but think it has had a positive influence on his thinking about his career. To an extent, I think it has exposed him to something beyond the workshop. I’m sure we would still have endeavoured to make him the best possible skilled tradesman outside of MTC, but this got his interest and enthusiasm.

It has a very positive flow-on effect. The very challenge that they have to do has got his attention and we discuss it; what they’ve got to achieve and methods of achieving it. My background kind of overlaps into the area they’re looking at, so he’s like a sponge at the moment. And the benefits are not just for the competition, but for the future. It stimulates a mind frame about a broad range of knowledge for engineering.

Their mentor, Geoff Ball, is an exceptional character in himself and Joshua has a workshop this weekend. Every time he comes back, there’s plenty more discussion, more things to think about before the next workshop. It helps to build; his mental database of capability is extending because he has this challenge.

3. Would you recommend Worldskills/ MTC to other/ future employees? Why?

Yes. Learning and bringing the best out of themselves are important for a business. If I put on another apprentice at the same time as Josh is still working here, for that person to learn and have a mentor who’s been there and done it, that in itself is encouragement. It’s really good example setting. And, ultimately, it’s in their own interest anyway.

4. Is there anything else you would like to add about Worldskills/ MTC or your employee's involvement?

I can’t see anything negative in MTC. It gives people the opportunity to broaden their experiences. I remember when Josh went to Melbourne for one of the camps for the whole team, he came back and put that as one of the best things of his life. I mean, what a fantastic experience. From what I’ve seen, it is a very positive thing.

I went to TAFE recently to a business course and I mentioned Worldskills and my two teachers had never heard of it. I showed them a video of an Irish team in two consecutive years and it blew their minds. I think there is a lack of awareness about the whole thing. I mean, the video is really really inspiring. Josh got to see them, it’s a very positive pump-you-up kind of thing.

After having seen that and spoken to the two TAFE teachers, it’s a shame that it’s not more out there and people aren’t more aware of what these young Aussies are doing.

Back to Competitor Profiles