Brendan Thomas    

To achieve his career ambitions of becoming a Mechanical Engineer or Fabricator/Boilermaker Class of 2016 graduate, Brendan Thomas completed a Certificate II in Agriculture (2015 VET) and Certificate II in Engineering (2016 VET) while studying at Ballarat Christian College. These VET studies led Brendan into an apprenticeship as a Boilermaker at Sandwith Industrial Services, where he worked until the mid this year when he commenced his own business, TM Engineering. When he is not in his workshop he is working on the family farm.

“My time at Ballarat Christian College was phenomenal. The caring teachers helped me become a person of integrity, dependability, passion, and faith. Ballarat Christian College was not just a school, not just an education, but it was also a community. I loved having a great relationship with fellow students and teachers. The teachers constantly encouraged me not only in my faith, but also towards my education, making sure that they helped me achieve and steer me towards what I was passionate about.

I loved the range of co-curricular activities that the College hosts, especially the energy breakthrough team, South Star Warriors. I joined the team in Year 7 and loved attending the after-school programme, building, modifying, and engineering the trikes to race at races around Australia. South Star Warriors was a massive influence on me and sparked my interest in engineering and metal fabrication.

VET studies are a great opportunity to go out and experience the hands on side of learning 'real world' while still in school. It gives you the knowledge and skills that are used in the workplace today. Give it a go. Pick a VET subject that interests you and see how you would go in the real world.

BalCC also prepared me for my future at TAFE. I had all the technical know-how and math knowledge, so that when I started studying engineering, I didn’t feel like a fish out of water. I often look back on the times I had in school and to some extent, I do miss it. I miss the atmosphere, the community engagement within the College, students and teachers encouraging one another in their faith, the servanthood, and the encouraging teachers.

Being at BalCC for ten years I saw the College grow from two separate schools, to unite into the one College. It still amazes me all the latest improvements. Some being the creek revived and new classes affiliated with the creek and garden. The new Primary school building. And improvements around the MPC. It’s a shame I am not there to experience it first-hand!

Starting my business has been the best decision I have ever made (and yes, it was in the middle of a lockdown). But what have I to fear? For God is on my side. I am faithful He will bring the work in (and He has). I am finding running my own business gives me a lot of freedom, but also the need for discipline to knuckle-down and get the work done, as there is no boss looking over my shoulder. In a lot of ways, BalCC has prepared me for it both with some knowledge and the discipline. During my work I have done quite a variety if things from farm and machinery repairs, stock trailer extension, stainless steel water tanks, a wine rack for a restaurant, stainless teel letterbox to garden boxes, plus a lot more.”

Brendan’s VET studies gave him the skills and experience to enter the World Skills Australia competition in Regionals 2015 and Nationals in 2016 (VETis Metals and Engineering), where he achieved second place in both competitions. As an apprentice he entered the Regionals in 2019 (Construction steelwork) were he achieved first place. He is now training to compete in the 2022 National competition set in October (Construction Steelwork).

When he’s not working Brendan enjoys four wheel driving, and gold panning and is also involved at Rise Christian Church as a Sound Technician for the band and attends the young adult’s group.