John decided to follow his passion for working outdoors, after a long career in retail. He wanted to achieve a higher level of education, as well as being able to study and work simultaneously.
As a mature-age apprentice with previous workplace and customer service experience, John brought leadership and conflict resolution skills to his apprenticeship. Aside from the hassle of remote learning due to COVID-19, John faced an array of challenges throughout the course of his apprenticeship, including financial instability due to being paid an apprentice wage and a heart health issue which required an operation to resolve. Nonetheless, he saw his apprenticeship through with courage and resilience.
John selflessly helped fight bushfires in South-East New South Wales during early 2020 as a volunteer firefighter and crew leader under the CFA. This required him to take leave from work and immerse himself in arduous, perilous conditions for many weeks.