Darren McCluskey admits it wasn’t easy starting an apprenticeship at age 42.
The workshop foreman at Christchurch Ready Mix Concrete recently completed his National Certificate in automotive heavy engineering (in plant and equipment and road transport) through MITO.
He is no stranger to hard work—and juggling busy work weeks with family and study has certainly paid off.
“I hadn’t done any study since leaving school at 14—that’s a long time to get out of the habit of studying,” says McCluskey.
“However, my former boss thought it would be a good idea to have another qualified person in the workshop, and suggested I start an adult apprenticeship.”
Last December the father of three completed the road transport certificate and in January this year the plant and equipment certificate.
“It’s been a long haul but I’m so glad I got there. Having my qualifications has not only made me a better mechanic, it’s also made me a better person.”
McCluskey has worked for Christchurch Ready Mix Concrete for 10 years and says he especially enjoys working on the company’s 30-tonne dump trucks.
“The bigger the vehicle, the better the challenge!”
He is now enjoying mentoring the company’s four apprentices, something that McCluskey’s manager, Shane Foster, is grateful for.
“He is the kind of employee who does whatever needs to be done,” says Shane. “He’s conscientious, he wants everyone to do well and he has the staff and the company’s needs at heart.”
