Queenslander Anthony Kallis began his apprenticeship in January 2004, and continued as normal until his RTO, First Choice, collapsed in 2006. “Although I stayed employed, I nearly gave up my apprenticeship when I was told my records had been lost and again in late 2007 when I realised how complicated my situation was,” Kallis said.Kallis was helped by the CSQ Workforce Solutions Centre, which assisted him in addressing the assorted red tape to achieve his Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as Refrigeration Mechanic. “The Workforce Solutions Centre put me in touch with SkillsTech Australia (the Queensland-based TAFE organisation specialising in building and construction) and skills assessor Ross Mansfield so that I could complete an RPL. I was assessed in my workplace in an interview-style arrangement,” Kallis said.“I prepared a methodical account of my apprenticeship, supported by photos and diaries of past experience. “I was questioned by Ross Mansfield, mainly around the competencies I was missing.”Kallis received his qualification as Refrigeration Mechanic in December 2008.“It felt awesome to finally get what I set out to achieve back in 2004. Crossing off the goal of completing my apprenticeship felt great,” Kallis said.CSQ said Kallis was planning to immediately apply for his Queensland Building Services Authority licence, and will go on to begin training for his Gold Arctic License and National Restricted License.
