O’Connors delivers students a headstart with RedStart Apprenticeship Program

Growing up in the small town of Edenhope, Georgia Baxter, 19, a first year Service Technician Apprentice at O’Connors in Horsham, knows the important role that farmers and farm support services play in Australia’s economy. After being accepted into the exclusive RedStart Apprenticeship Program at O’Connors, Georgia is proud to be part of the next-generation servicing and supporting the growth of Australian agriculture.

RedStart is a dedicated program for apprentices and trainees to take their first step in a long-term and secure career at O’Connors. For those wanting to get started in the agricultural industry, RedStart delivers on-the-job support and mentoring from experienced and qualified supervisors, as well as specialised Case IH training in state-of-the-art workshops and training facilities across the O’Connors Dealership Network. All successful RedStart Apprenticeship candidates are enrolled into the Certificate III in Agricultural Mechanical Technology.

“Day-to-day I assist Senior Service Technicians in repairing and servicing all types of machinery” Georgia explains “learning from the Senior Technicians is really rewarding and it’s amazing how much they know – and as mentors they are a great source of information and confidence when working on high performance machinery.”

As well as on-the-job training – RedStart apprentices complete group training at TAFENSW in Wagga Wagga. The facility has a dedicated Case IH training centre where apprentices are given skills and technical knowledge in a hands-on environment. “The opportunity to complete training with other RedStart Apprentices and getting the opportunity to work on the latest product range from Case IH was a big draw card” says Georgia “We integrate real-world customer servicing and simulated training at TAFENSW during our training. It gives us the ability to create complex issues as a simulation and solve them in a controlled environment, so when the time comes for real, we are ready for the challenge”

Wayne Sibrey, Head Teacher of Automotive is responsible for delivering the program to RedStart apprentices. “No other training organisation or facility offers this type of dedicated ag mechanical training”. Wayne explains when describing the course, “we have a partnership with Case IH who supply the latest machinery and components for the program, ensuring our students are given access to the most up-to-date and advanced equipment.”

Unique to RedStart, every student that is successful in securing an apprentice position receives a top of the range Kincrome Toolbox, filled with the tools they need, valued at $5,000. So, apprentices have the tools they need right from when they start work at O’Connors.

Georgia asserts “the RedStart Program application process is easy, and the program is well organised.  There is a dedicated RedStart Coordinator at O’Connors who looks after us an apprentice which is a great support. The toolbox incentive is a really good idea and it’s really been helpful having my own tools to do my job. We also undertake group training as a year level which is a great networking opportunity. You get to know all the other Apprentices in your year level and create good professional relationships.”

When asked what she hopes to be doing in five years’ time, Georgia enthused “I hope to be a Senior Technician myself, teaching apprentices like me.”

Get ahead in your career in the agricultural industry and become a RedStart Apprentice. Contact us at redstart@jjoconnor.com.au or 0448 598 000 for more information. Applications are now open, so head to www.oconnorscareers.com.au/apprenticeship-program to apply.