High school students would benefit from gaining more information about manufacturing career opportunities, Ai Group apprentices on a discussion panel at the recent National Manufacturing Workforce Forum said. 

Kynan Batey, hosted to Hosico Engineering; Blake Sloan, hosted to Marand Precision Engineering and Mitchell Adam, hosted to ARB Corporation (pictured above left to right), said students were potentially missing out on rewarding careers if schools failed to make them aware of the possibilities of entering the manufacturing industry. 

“You don't hear about manufacturing in schools,” Mitchell told the audience in Melbourne. 

The young men joined the panel to share stories of how they became apprentices in manufacturing and the doors that have opened since commencing their Ai Group Apprentice and Trainee Centre (Ai Group ATC) apprenticeships.   

They spoke of the technical expertise and hands-on experience they have gained and their passion for their roles as Mechanical Engineering apprentices in the manufacturing sector. 

Ai Group Chief Executive Innes Willox was a keynote speaker at the forum, which was presented by the Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance.

Ai Group ATC is dedicated to nurturing and empowering apprentices to enable them to realise their full potential. We are committed to cultivating talent and fostering meaningful industry connections.  

We commend Kynan, Blake and Mitchell for taking part in the panel and encouraging the delivery of more comprehensive career education and guidance.  

By amplifying the voices of apprentices, Ai Group ATC hopes to inspire a new generation of talent to explore the opportunities within the manufacturing industry. 

Click here to find out more about the benefits of completing an apprenticeship or traineeship with Ai Group ATC. 

Wendy Larter

Wendy Larter is Communications Manager at the Australian Industry Group. She has more than 20 years’ experience as a reporter, features writer, contributor and sub-editor for newspapers and magazines including The Courier-Mail in Brisbane and Metro, the News of the World, The Times and Elle in the UK.