Debuting in the NRL was a dream for Kurtis Morrin but completing his plumbing apprenticeship was his vocational dream.
Four years on the tools was completed but his formal studies were incomplete due to the closure of TAFE to covid, thus leaving the awarding of his plumbing licence up in the air.
Understanding that a licence was essential to work in the plumbing trade post rugby league Kurtis sought the assistance of Club Career Coach Renee Liddy to find an avenue to complete the few remaining subjects he needed for his Cert III in Plumbing.
A solution was for Kurtis to get back on the tools post season and be formally recognised for his skills. He will also sign up and complete the Cert IV in Plumbing to further his expand his plumbing and project management skills.
The Bulldogs have been strong in encouraging our young players to undertake an apprenticeship after leaving school and have been pro active in sourcing builders and contractors to employ the budding tradies.
A total of 12 young players, including Josh Kalati, Jack Todd & Harry Hayes who have had a taste of NSW Cup, are currently undertaking an apprenticeship in trades such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical and refrigeration, with two doing so whilst completing their HSC as school based vocational programs.
The Federal and State Governments and major industry bodies have all recognised the current severe skills shortage and the need to upskill our workforce, with subsidies and strategies in place to incentivise employers to employ an apprentice.
Jacob Kiraz, now entrenched in the NRL, has returned to his building studies undertaking a Cert IV in Building and Construction having completed a Cert II in Construction as a school based apprentice.
