Meet Some Current Apprentices
Bradley Slater (Brookvale)
Bradley started his apprenticeship as a Heavy Vehicle Mechanic at Brookvale bus depot in 2007
"I started with STA in December 2005 as an Engineering Repair Assistant. Previously I worked as a maintenance fitter and I thought I’d like to expand on my skills. The decision was made easy because State Transit offers adult apprenticeships and my pay and conditions are second to none. The support from my supervisors, work colleagues and Learning and Development has been great."
"During the on the job training you get to work on a wide range of buses from 1980s Mercedes Benz to the latest in technology from Volvo. Technical knowledge is always at hand - manuals in book form to a computer manual with fault finding options and not forgetting the tradesman".
"As well as the on the job training you receive at STA, I attended TAFE and also external training with some of the companies STA work with in producing and maintaining their fleet."
"Work in the garage varies quite a lot. I could be involved in an in-chassis rebuild on a Mercedes bendy (articulated) one day, and the next changing a set of front brake rotors on a B10 Volvo. Some jobs can be quite simple, like jump starting or changing tyres and some can be very challenging, like fault finding, eg: why the retarders in the gear box don’t work."
"My goal at the present time and for the near future is just to learn as much as I can and get the best marks possible at TAFE, giving me the best chance possible of obtaining a position as heavy vehicle mechanic with STA."
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Bradley at work at Brookvale depot replacing tyre components.
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Isis Joyce
Isis started her apprenticeship as a Heavy Vehicle Mechanic at Waverley bus depot in 2007.
"Being in a workshop full of men doesn’t bother Isis Joyce who says, "We all get along really well. I’ve always gotten along well with guys".
Isis couldn’t imagine her life outside the non-traditional trades. "I was a painter for a long time but decided to quit my job and try something different. I went back to TAFE and completed a pre-apprenticeship training course before getting the position at State Transit".
"My job involves looking after the buses, maintaining the fleet, going to pick up any breakdowns, but mostly a lot of regular maintenance. I just like physical work. I like to keep moving and to always be doing something. I wouldn’t like sitting down all day".