Bulldog players from the NYC and SG Ball squad who are in an apprenticeship had a visit from Sam Perret and ex Bulldog Brad Morrin recently.
Both Sam and Brad are mentors with the Trading Up With The NRL program, where apprentices involved in rugby league are mentored by fellow tradies.
Sam is a qualified carpenter and builder whilst Brad completed a sheetmetal trade and their experiences combining training, work and playing were passed on to the eager players.
Both Sam and Brad spoke of the challenges of completing an apprenticeship but also emphasized the benefits of secure employment, a healthy wage and a new range of career direction once the hard yards had been completed.
The program aims to reduce the number of apprentices failing to complete apprenticeships and that in past years has seen a shortage of skilled tradespeople in the workforce.
The Bulldogs have a healthy number of apprentices in the young squads with a range of plumbers, carpenters and landscapers out and about on worksites across Sydney.
Statistically the odds of NYC players advancing to the NRL ranks are low so the need for a Plan B career is important and re-inforced by both Bulldog and NRL programs.
