It was AGA’s Multi-Industry Pathway Program (MIPP) that first introduced Leftheri to a career in the trades. MIPP is a hands-on introduction to several trades designed to give Year 10 students an opportunity to explore a range of career options.

Leftheri admits he was struggling at school and the program gave him the spark to consider a different direction.

“School wasn’t my favourite thing, I have to say,” he said. “I’ve always been more hands on. So I thought a trade would be a better fit for me. The MIPP program gave me an introduction to the tools and the trades. Since I knew the place, I came back and did the pre-apprenticeship in plumbing.”

That pre-apprenticeship gave Leftheri a practical foundation in the trade and helped confirm that plumbing was a pathway he wanted to pursue. After completing the three-month course, he went straight into a plumbing apprenticeship and is now completing his formal trade school component in the same facility where his journey began.

AGA plumbing trainer Cole Harvey likes the fact that today’s young people have a clearer and more supported introduction to trades than many tradespeople experienced in the past. Leftheri’s progression from MIPP participant to pre-apprentice and now apprentice plumber highlights the range of entry points available.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity,” Cole said. “There was no such thing as MIPP or VDSS or pre-apprenticeships when I was going through school. You essentially got thrown in the deep end and you swam if you liked it. But these guys have got such a great pathway into apprenticeships if they want it.”

Cole believes the introductory programs teach a lot more than just how to handle the tools. They give students a feel for the realities of work and what’s required to achieve a successful outcome.

“It’s about the experience of going to work – getting up on time, getting up early, in the cold, in the heat – just the discipline around what it takes to be able to turn up in good shape every day ready to do your job. It’s a little bit of a life experience to get them prepared.”

The training at AGA has helped Leftheri connect what he learns in the classroom with what he’s exposed to at work. He attends trade school one day a week and spends the remainder of the week on site with his employer.

“Every day you learn something different as an apprentice,” he said. “I work with a good bunch of boys, they’re all helpful, train me really well. Then I come here and learn more about the theory side of the work.”

Leftheri’s advice for young people considering entering the trades is simple.

“I’d tell them to go for it. I think a lot of young kids who don’t enjoy school should find another pathway that they like, so they can enjoy what they’re doing. For me, if I’m interested in something I’m learning about, like plumbing, I’ll want to do the work.”

A long-time football coach as well as a trainer, Cole Harvey brings a coaching mindset into the workshop and classroom. He said effective training is about building relationships, creating a positive learning environment and understanding how to get the best out of each individual student.

“When they first come in here, you just want to make sure they’re engaged, they’re having some fun and enjoying their time. Regardless of whether it’s going to be the career path for them or not, it doesn’t matter.

Speaking of the AGA training centre Cole said, “the facility itself is wonderfully set out, but more importantly it’s the team of people here that makes it work really well. All the trainers here get along terrifically well and they’re just all about the kids. They’re here to make sure it’s a good experience for them and that they’re learning something useful.”