“It is something we are really proud of,” said Chris Whittaker of the 80 plus apprentices that have undergone training through his business over the past decade.

From humble beginnings as a small family operation some 17 years ago, Chris has grown his diesel plant repair business Whittaker Contracting to be a major local employer, servicing the mining, earth-moving and road transport industry in Orange and across the state.

With two large workshops in Orange and another in Singleton, Whittaker Contracting now employs 150 staff, including boiler makers, light and heavy vehicle fitter, and machinists.

“The business started out just with myself and my wife and over the last 20 years there has been a steady growth and then an accelerated growth with the peak of the mining boom in 2011, which is what led us to almost double in size,” said Chris.

Investing in people has been an important part of that growth, said Chris. His industry like so many other is always in need of skilled trades, which is why from the start they have made the effort to train their own apprentices.

“It is an ongoing battle finding people that are well trained. The armed forces used to train really large numbers of apprentices, but sadly it is just not happening so much and the industry is screaming out for quality tradespeople and that's Australia wide and in all trades not just ours,” said Chris.

“We have been training apprentices since September 2010 and a lot of those early apprentices now are working in senior roles at other organisations. We've got some of our apprentices that are working in leading hand foreman type roles at some of these businesses and we are really proud of them.  They've done really well and we really enjoy that aspect of trying to put something back into the industry that has given us a lot.”

At any stage, Whittaker Contracting employs around 12 apprentices divided between the year groups and the three trades they specialise in which are diesel plant mechanics, boiler makers and fitter machinists.

Any of these skills can set you up for life, said Chris, as they are always in demand.

“It’s having a craft that is enjoyable, rewarding and also too these days it’s quite financially attractive… and for a young person that wanted to travel, any of the trades we do are sought after around the world. You wouldn't have any trouble getting a job in any nation as a qualified diesel plant mechanic, boilermaker or fitter machinist,” said Chris.

“We train our apprentices ourselves, we don't put them through a group apprentice scheme. They are indentured to us directly and we find that that is really important and as it makes them feel part of our team and they understand that we are making a commitment to them for the term of  their apprenticeship.

“We do everything we can to make sure they’re a competent, quality tradesperson by the time they’re finished.”

Whittaker’s are currently looking to fill multiple apprentice roles (diesel plant mechanics, boiler makers and fitter machinists) and are now accepting applications.