Tyge Jeffery is doing a four-year apprenticeship with Carpet Call Shepparton.
Photo by
Bree Harding
Tyge Jeffery is a fine example of how those who don’t thrive in a school environment excelling outside it.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The 16-year-old took out the Floor Covering Institute of Australia’s First Year Apprentice of the Year award at a gala dinner at The Regent Theatre’s Plaza Ballroom in Melbourne earlier this month.
Tyge is almost 12 months into a four-year apprenticeship with Carpet Call Shepparton.
His mum, Tara, went to the same gym as one of the store’s owners, Caroline Mohi, and heard they were hiring apprentices.
Tyge, who was still in school at the time, was invited to a work experience trial and, soon after, offered an apprenticeship.
“I didn’t enjoy school,” Tyge said.
“So it’s way better than that. I’m loving it, it’s really good.”
He said he preferred doing practical work with his hands over being confined to a classroom.
Now, he spends his day laying floor coverings, such as carpet and vinyl planks, the latter his favourite.
Most of his apprenticeship is on-the-job training, while the rest consists of online trade school assignments.
He said it was his visiting trainer, Chris, who checks in on his school work and progress on site, who nominated him for the award.
With his family, Tyge and his employers made their way to the awards night at the start of March, unaware of whose name was printed inside the winner’s envelope.
Four apprentices had been nominated. The two present on the night, including Tyge, were invited on to the stage when their category was to be announced.
Tyge with his award and certificate at the gala evening. Image supplied by FCIA.
Photo by
Contributed
It wasn’t until the envelope was opened that Tyge discovered he had won.
“I didn’t believe it, to be honest, it was a big surprise really,” he said.
“Mum was really happy and Caroline and David (his bosses) were really happy.”
The FCIA Gala night celebrates the industry’s best emerging talent through the FCIA Apprentice Of The Year award for each year level.
A Facebook post by the institute gave a shoutout to the young mountain-biking enthusiast after the announcement.
“Congratulations Tyge for your amazing achievements in your first year as a flooring apprentice,” it said.
“We would also like to congratulate our other first-year nominees. It’s an exceptional achievement and we are excited to see the heights you reach in our industry.”
Tyge is looking forward to covering many more miles of floors for years to come.
28°C