Having spent about 20 years helping develop young footballers, Cole Harvey knows that success isn’t about telling people what to do. It’s about giving them the confidence, skills and support they need so they can then figure things out for themselves.

The same philosophy guides his work as a trainer at AGA’s Deer Park training facility, where he works with secondary school students, pre-apprentices and aspiring apprentices exploring careers in the trades.

Cole’s experience as a coach, including his current role as senior men’s coach at West Coburg, aligns closely with his approach as a trainer.

“Since I started here at AGA, I’ve continually learnt how to be a better trainer, which then coincides with being a better coach and vice versa,” he said. “The important thing for me is to build an environment that’s safe, it’s fun and it gives the kids an experience to say, ‘Yeah, I’m in’ or ‘I’m not’, and that’s fine – whichever way they want to go.”

Cole says one of the most rewarding parts of his role is meeting young people at the very beginning of their journey.

“I love seeing these young guys at the start of it all. At the stage where they’re still not quite sure what they want to do,” he says. “To watch them develop over a period of time, pick up new skills and, by the end of it, have a reasonably clear idea as to whether it’s for them or not.”

That focus on exploration and growth is one of the things Cole values most about AGA’s programs. Having entered the trades before pathways such as VET Delivered to Secondary Students (VDSS), pre-apprenticeships and Multi-Industry Pathway Program (MIPPs) existed, he appreciates the opportunities today’s young people have to test the waters before committing to a career.

“These guys have got such a great pathway into apprenticeships if they want it. We’re setting them up for work experience, getting up on time, whether it’s cold or hot – all those sorts of things. The discipline around what it takes to turn up in good shape every day for work and do your job.”

While Cole is quick to praise the facilities at Deer Park, he says the people are what truly set the training centre apart.

“The facility itself is wonderfully set out, it’s great. But I think, more importantly, it’s the team of people that make it work really well,” he says. “All the trainers here get along terrifically well. And I can genuinely say they are just all about the kids. They just want to make sure it’s a good experience for them, and that they’re learning something useful.”

While it’s definitely rewarding to see young people progress from students to apprentices and qualified tradespeople, Cole says success isn’t measured solely by how many students pursue a trade after training.

“The trade isn’t for everybody, and I think that’s the great thing about what we offer here at AGA,” he said. “It’s a great taster to see whether they’re up for it or not. It’s a little bit of a life experience to get them prepared.”

Having spent so many years guiding and mentoring young people, Cole knows every journey is unique and that everyone brings different experiences and challenges with them.

“I think it’s really important to have things like empathy and understanding. I like to think I’m quite an empathetic person. While there are standards that I like to keep in a classroom, I also want to make sure that they can achieve whatever it is that they want to achieve.

“I’m not a rules person, but I’m a standards person. And I think if the kids understand that and sort of buy into it to a certain degree, then it’s going to be a really good time.”