Marcus Mackrell and Brendan Hurle from BD North East Electrics pull no punches with the challenges of maintaining apprentices compared to when they started out.

However, it doesn’t stop them from getting the message out there that hard work pays off.

They have also been rewarded with many success stories.

Marcus started his apprenticeship in 2011, completed it in four years, and then began BD North East Electrics, paying his own trade school fees along the way.

“When I was an apprentice, there were no sick days, you wouldn't even ring the boss up, you're too scared to.

“And if you wanted to be a trader, you pay your fees, that was the rule.

“Now we've got to pay all the fees and everything else.”

Brendan agrees with the changes over time, having joined forces with Marcus at the start of 2024.

“There is a huge, huge gap compared to when I did my apprenticeship.

“Back then, I was told if I wasn't going to work six days a week, then I didn't have a job, and I needed a job.

“So, I worked six days per week right through to the end of my apprenticeship, then got flexibility as a tradesman.

"Today's apprentices have it more flexible than what we did."

Marcus studied at two different trade schools, completing his Certificate III between Shepparton and Wangaratta and recommends doing a pre-apprenticeship course.

“You can do a pre-app’ first, if you want to get a bit of a head start and whatnot.

“But other than that, you are straight into your apprenticeship."

He has also hired about ten apprentices since starting his business and finds the usual fare of no one appreciating the starting money.

He also says that the social changes around phone use have an impact.

“You wouldn't be caught on your phone back in the day – now the phones are everywhere."

Motivating apprentices to start well and work hard is the biggest challenge.

“People just want to try and chase that easy money in an easier job rather than get the long-term success out of this.

“I think if you don't want to start, have a good think about it before you do.

“A lot of people come in here, do a week and then leave – it’s not for them – and that’s OK, but I recommend that pre-app and a week of work experience while you’re still at school.”

Brendan echoes the sentiment: “Don't be scared of hard work - you're only going to benefit from that.”

Marcus said a career in electrical services was good for those with a passion for hands-on work.

“You get to see a lot of different things, a lot of different jobs at a lot of different sites.

“It really gets you out and about.”