After completing his secondary schooling at Gore High School Garth successfully applied to undertake the engineering pre apprenticeship course at the Southern Institute of Technology. In 2006 he was offered an apprenticeship with Southern Group Training and has been seconded to the Alliance Group Mataura Plant.

To complete the Level 4 National Certificate in Maintenance & Diagnostics Engineering Garth must complete a range of unit standards comprising both theory and practical elements.

Garth’s off job theory training has been provided by S.I.T through his attendance at evening class and through a three week block course each year.

Regular attendance at evening class is extremely important as apprentices need to complete the theory component of each unit standard before they can be workplace assessed in the practical components. Establishing and maintaining a good study habit is necessary if apprentices are to complete their qualification in the optimum time frame. Failure to do so can significantly prolong the length of time it takes to complete an apprenticeship.