Qualification: Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade
Host Business: Darwin Port
RTO: Charles Darwin University
"I believe I have come a long way in my career, I have made meaningful relationships with others around me, reached many goals, and gained relevant skills and knowledge."
Thomas Norris is a positive role model to the young Indigenous community and believes that maintaining qualities such as collaboration, eagerness to learn, effective listening, and time management are essential to succeed in his apprenticeship. Thomas recognises the progress he has made in his career, building meaningful relationships, achieving many goals, and acquiring relevant skills and knowledge in his trade. Thomas was the winner of the Most Outstanding Apprentice - Stage 2 at the 2023 GTNT Group Awards.
What impact did your studies/work have on your life?
Clontarf has played a major part in my choice to move forward into an apprenticeship after graduating from Palmerston Senior College. They have guided me throughout my employment with Darwin Port, they are always checking up to see how I am doing and catching up with myself, and other Clontarf Alumni through events and collaborative activities.
Through my training I have had the opportunity to inspire young Indigenous men during employment forum's hosted by Clontarf. During these forum's I am able to inform these young Indigenous men about my experience working at Darwin Port as an apprentice. We speak about challenges I have had to overcome, the knowledge and skills I have gained or that I am currently learning. I ask them each about their interests, aspirations, if they may want to go down the path of an apprenticeship.
These forum's are a huge highlight that I will always remember and cherish as I am able to advocate for young Indigenous Australians and play my part in closing the gap. It is an honour to be an Alumni of the Clontarf Foundation, I am able to connect with other young Indigenous men as I was once in their shoes. In a meaningful way, I can give back to the community through positively influencing the young men who will make up the future of our society. I can find common ground, relate, listen, communicate, help them adapt, and in the end point them in the right direction of success.
Currently undergoing my apprenticeship, I have had to dedicate and submerge myself into the work to gain the results needed to succeed. Being dedication, ability to work collaboratively and independently, being a fast learner, quick on your feet, listening effectively and communicating effectively, managing time - these are all important to maintain and display whilst completing an apprenticeship.
