When you’re just starting out, your resume might only list a couple of shifts at the local supermarket and a school reference. That’s completely okay!
We get it. No one expects you to have a long, detailed resume at this stage. We don’t look for apprentice applicants who already know it all. If you did, you wouldn’t need the apprenticeship! What matters most to us is your potential and your attitude: curiosity to learn a trade, and the determination to see things through.
What is an apprenticeship?
In Australia, an apprenticeship is a paid, hands-on training program where you learn a skilled trade while you work. You’ll split your time between practical experience on the job and classroom learning, and you’ll finish with a nationally recognised qualification. It’s one of the most practical ways to build a career, and you earn as you go.
TMHA Apprenticeship Program
Toyota Material Handling Australia (THMA) has run its renowned Technical Apprenticeship Program since 2007, with opportunities available right across Australia. As a TMHA apprentice, you’ll learn on the job, receive your own toolbox, have a mentor to guide you, and earn a wage while working towards a nationally recognised Certificate III in:
- Forklift Technology
- Plant Mechanic
- Heavy Machinery
- Auto Electrical
Further support to complete a dual trade is available if requested!
If you’ve completed a Certificate II in Automotive through a VET course at school, that’s a fantastic head start. But if you haven’t, don’t worry. Here are five things that really matter when you’re just getting started:
- An interest in mechanics or engineering
This doesn’t need to be formal. Working on cars, motorbikes, farm equipment or bikes counts, and so does just pulling things apart to see how they’re built. What matters is curiosity, and being able to talk us through what you’ve done, not just that you’re “into cars.”
- Work experience of any kind
Casual jobs, volunteering, or school work experience: none of it needs to be mechanical to count. What matters is that you’ve shown you can show up, follow instructions, and be part of a team. When you list a job on your resume, tell us what you actually did, not just where you worked. Those details matter more than the job title.
- Good attendance and commitment
Sport, a part-time job, a club, or regular volunteering all show the same thing: you can commit to something and see it through. An apprenticeship runs for years, not weeks, so this is one of the clearer signs we look for early on.
- Licences or certificates
A driver’s licence or learner’s permit, White Card, First Aid certificate, or any other qualification is worth including. They might seem small, but they show initiative and help us see what you’ve got and what you might need.
- A well-presented resume
Keep it simple. One or two pages is plenty (it doesn’t need to be a thesis). Check your spelling and grammar, ideally with a second set of eyes, and make sure your contact details are up to date. A clear, well-organised resume shows us you’re serious before we’ve even met you.
Recruiter’s tip: Don’t underestimate your experience. Every part-time job, school project, sporting team or volunteer role has helped you build valuable skills. Share what you learned and the responsibilities you had, not just where you worked.
Keen to learn more?
Apprenticeship intakes usually open around October, with successful applicants starting the following January or February. A number of TMHA’s current service managers, branch managers and sales leads started their careers at TMHA as apprentices. If that sounds worth pursuing, head to their careers page or contact Kim on 02 87066176.
