Grant Sarolea oversees the delivery of apprenticeship and traineeship services across the Southern Victoria region, supporting both employers and apprentices to achieve strong outcomes. His role is focused on leadership, coordination and ensuring quality service delivery across the AGA network.
Before helping others on their career journeys, Grant’s own experience started with trial and error. After six months of university, he decided it was not the path for him. Grant says, “I decided to defer my studies and return home, with no real solid plan of what I wanted to do.” This seemingly meandering path ultimately led to a fulfilling and long-term career supporting others into trades. From labouring work to completing a carpentry apprenticeship and progressing through construction roles, Grant eventually returned to the industry in a new capacity as a Field Officer before moving into leadership.
As part of this role as AES Manager for Southeast Victoria, Grant and his team travel long distances across the region to deliver Apprentice Employment Services (AES). From just east of Melbourne, across to Warragul and down to Phillip Island, Korumburra and Leongatha, through the Latrobe Valley and into East Gippsland, Grant’s small team of four also promotes apprenticeship and traineeship pathways. Grant explains, “It’s not uncommon for someone to start work at 7.30am, but they are leaving home very early to make it to site, which can be a real challenge in winter.”
There are significant opportunities emerging across the region for both businesses and apprentices. Grant says, “Eastern Victoria is growing quickly due to more people moving in, new industry and changes in the economy.” Growth in industries such as logistics, construction, healthcare and renewable energy is driving demand for skilled workers and creating new career pathways.
Looking ahead, Grant’s priorities are centred on identifying new opportunities for sustainable growth in the region. He elaborates, “This means not only increasing access to apprenticeships and traineeships but doing so in a way that builds long-term capability for local industries, strengthens communities and creates meaningful career pathways for individuals.”
For Grant, the most rewarding part of his work comes from seeing individuals succeed and progress in their careers through the support provided. He takes pride in helping people who may not have had the opportunity to thrive in the workforce. As he reflects, “I have been lucky to see hundreds of apprentices and trainees complete their training and continue in the industry, now as host employers or in bigger and better roles because of the help and mentoring we have been able to provide.”
