After relocating from Victoria to South Hedland 12 months ago, Benjamin Kenworthy was determined to create new opportunities for himself. Despite actively applying for jobs, Ben found that a lack of industry-specific skills made securing employment challenging.
Rather than letting this discourage him, Ben made a commitment to upskilling and strengthening his future career prospects. Ben has since completed several Skill Sets with us, including the Forklift Skill Set and the Operate Firefighting Equipment Skill Set. Throughout his training journey, he kept a close watch on upcoming courses that would further improve his employability.
A few months ago, on his drive home, Ben spotted a sign advertising the Heavy Vehicle Driver Training being delivered at our Pundulmurra (South Hedland) Campus. Recognising a valuable opportunity, he visited the campus the very next day and enrolled.
Ben credits much of his success in the course to the guidance and support of lecturer Len Smales. He openly recalls feeling extremely nervous during his first driving lesson, but says Len's calm, reassuring manner helped him settle quickly. Len's approach - blending industry knowledge, practical guidance, and memorable anecdotes - made the learning environment both engaging and confidence-building.
"Len's advice from the very start has been invaluable," Ben shared. "His experience, tips, and stories made the class an outstanding experience."
Now a proud course graduate, Ben is updating his resumé and preparing to step into the transport industry. Following Len's recommendation, he plans to begin by applying with smaller companies to gain early experience and build his confidence further.
Len says seeing Ben's transformation has been a rewarding experience:
"It is so pleasing to see a student come in on their first day with little confidence and leave on the last day ready to go out and get the job they've been dreaming of."
Looking ahead, Ben is considering progressing even further by pursuing his unrestricted licence, which will broaden his employment opportunities and strengthen his position in the job market.
Ben's journey is a powerful reminder of how determination, training opportunities, and supportive educators can open doors to meaningful new careers.
We congratulate Ben on his achievements and look forward to seeing where his next steps take him!
Click here to find out more about heavy vehicle training at NR TAFE!