Most people think your career only starts after you finish school. For Hunter, it started much earlier.
Now a qualified welder with the Mawsons Fabrication team in Cohuna, Hunter began building his career while he was still in the classroom.
Who are Mawsons?
If you live in regional Victoria or Southern NSW, chances are you’ve seen their trucks on the road.
Mawsons has a successful business history spanning over 110 years across regional communities. Mawsons growth in recent years has taken it to over 550 employees across 80 sites. They work across quarrying, concrete, transport, and engineering, supporting major construction and infrastructure projects. Behind the scenes, teams like Hunter’s are responsible for building and maintaining the plant and equipment that keeps everything running.
Starting with one day a week
Hunter’s pathway into the industry began with a school-based apprenticeship, spending one day a week on-site while completing his studies.
“I started out as a school-based apprentice and then moved into a full-time apprenticeship,” he says. “Now, five years on, I’m fully qualified and working as a welder.”
This pathway gave Hunter a strong head start in both skills and confidence creating an excellent opportunity to progress into a career he truly enjoys.
Variety is what makes it interesting
One of the biggest things Hunter enjoys about the role is the variety.
His day-to-day ranges from building new plant equipment to upgrading existing machinery and heading out to fix breakdowns on-site.
“The variety of work is awesome,” he says. “We go from building new things to repairs to projects, so it keeps it interesting.”
A standout moment has been working on the Lake Cooper plant upgrade project, which is Mawsons’ largest quarry.
“It’s been a really exciting project to be part of and something I’m pretty proud of.”
Trade school isn’t as daunting as it sounds
For a lot of students, trade school can feel like a bit of an unknown. But Hunter says it’s much more straightforward than people expect.
“It’s not as scary as people talk it up to be. You just go there, do your work, and it’s actually pretty fun once you get to know people.”
His advice is simple. Talk to people and make the most of it.
“If you don’t talk to people, it makes it harder. Once you do, everything feels easier.”
His advice: go for it
If you’re still figuring out what’s next, Hunter’s message is pretty straightforward.
“Don’t be afraid to chase opportunities. If something comes up, just go for it,” he says.
“This job isn’t just driving trucks or just welding. There are so many different career pathways you can chase. It’s definitely worth doing, especially when you’re young and not sure what you want to do.”
Starting with a school-based apprenticeship is a practical way to try something out, build real skills, and see where it can lead.
Ready to start your career while you’re still at school?
Explore opportunities with Mawsons and see where a hands-on pathway could take you.
