Warwick Johnstone was 17 when he enrolled in an Australian School-based Apprenticeship in carpentry and joinery. In his second year, his outstanding achievements in the trade saw him win the Australian School-based Apprentice of the Year accolade.
Now aged 26, Warwick reflects on his win at the 2007 Australian Training Awards.
“the Australian Training Awards was an amazing experience. I remember doing pre-award interviews with the other finalists for television and radio and didn’t consider actually winning. I was really nervous throughout the evening and was absolutely thrilled when my name was called out as a winner!” Warwick said.
Warwick is enjoying his career in the building industry with many significant achievements to date. As well as working full-time he is also studying part-time at university where he is undertaking a Bachelor of Construction Management.
“Following my win I had the opportunity to step up into leadership roles throughout my apprenticeship as a leading hand and eventually a site supervisor,” he said.
“During the final year of my apprenticeship I was a site supervisor on several larger projects. During the same period I also completed a Certificate IV in Construction out of hours and at the start of 2011 I made the transition into the office and began my role as an estimator/project manager.
Warwick is now employed by a commercial construction company in Perth as an estimator for Perkins TPD.
“As an estimator, I’ve found it much easier coming from a trades- based background. I have learnt to speak the same language as the sub-contractors and their staff. Without that knowledge in the back of my mind my work would be much harder,” Warwick said.
Warwick says there is little doubt winning the Australian School-based Apprentice of the Year helped to advance his career.
“After the national award I was lucky enough to win several other awards and contribute to improving the Australian Apprenticeships system as a member of the Australian Apprenticeships Roundtable. I was also an Australian Government Industry Champion, a guest speaker at several VETnetwork conferences across Australia and a mentor/speaker for the Master Builders Association schools career program throughout Tasmania.”
Warwick was recently appointed an Australian Apprenticeships Ambassador for the Australian Government and still holds the Australian Training Awards close to his heart.
“The award still means a lot to me. When I reflect, I really did develop some fantastic relationships Australia-wide and have gained a lot of valuable skills – both professionally and personally. It really did give me the confidence to pursue this career path and to continually strive for success,” he said.