Local miner moves up the ranks

Chris Chris von Schomburb started a Switchgear and Control Gear apprenticeship with mining equipment manufacturer Syntechtron, however knowing that he could always fall back on his trade, he wanted to develop a skillset that was broader than his apprenticeship.

He enrolled in the TAFE Advanced Diploma in Electrical Engineering while working full-time, but found it wasn’t quite the right match for his skillset.

Possessing an adept ability to mitigate risk and consider problems from different perspectives, he decided to change careers. With the support of his employer, Chris took the leap into the Diploma of Management and not wanting to stop there, he also completed the Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management.

Syntechtron’s investment in Chris paid off when the company started an accreditation program. The risk assessment the company needed was a task Chris had completed as part of the quality assurance accreditation for his studies.

“I already had the majority of things for the accreditation as part of TAFE NSW assignments,” Chris said.

“Anything I didn’t have, I was able to generate easily because TAFE NSW gave me a firm understanding of how to implement the management techniques and processes.”

Syntechtron was able to expedite the accreditation process, as well as save time and money as Chris had completed the majority of analytical processes for the quality management system as part of his TAFE NSW course.

TAFE NSW Blacktown, Leadership and Management, teacher, Sue Huntington praised Chris’s work ethic.

“Chris is an exceptional student who found his niche and passion through his studies. By the age of 30 years, he had completed the Diploma and Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management. He then went on to complete a Diploma of Work Health and Safety,” Ms Huntington said.

“For a man of his age, he has certainly achieved a remarkable amount in his career thus far. He should be extremely proud of himself.”