Marcus Harders – Plumber

Motivated by practical learning

Marcus Harders knew learning in the classroom was not for him midway through Year 11.

He admits he was not getting great results or enjoying ‘any success whatsoever’.

Fast-forward several months and Marcus was this time at the top of the class – at trade school – as he embarked on gaining a Certificate III in Plumbing via an Australian Apprenticeship.

“I realised how much I enjoyed being outside and working with my hands,” Marcus said.

“Everything they said at trade school stuck with me, even on the practical side of things.

“I went from bottom of the class in Year 11 to one of the top students at trade school, which was really exciting and gave me a lot of confidence.”

From the Adelaide suburb of Melrose Park, Marcus is completing his Australian Apprenticeship with host employer National 1 Plumbing & Maintenance Services Pty Ltd and group training organisation PEER VEET.

In 2013, Marcus was part of Apprentice Employment Network’s Today’s Skills: Tomorrow’s Leaders Program.

The 21-year-old has recently married and has long-term aspirations of using his skills to assist communities in third world countries.

“The most important thing is to work hard during the first year of your apprenticeship so you understand what it can offer you,” he said.

“You start to realise that an apprenticeship is the best thing you can do.

“My apprenticeship is only the beginning – I am aiming to gain additional qualifications and to eventually share my knowledge with tradespeople in developing countries who do not have access to the quality of training that I did.”