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Every year the trainers at Blue Dog Training have the unenviable task of choosing an apprentice to represent the organisation in external training award competitions. Each year the task becomes more difficult as the number of apprentices increases. In 2009 BDT has over 1100 apprentices many of them with outstanding skills and attitude to their work and training. The trainers after much discussion and debate this year have nominated Shaun Nicholson.

Shaun is an outstanding young man who entered his carpentry apprenticeship after a stint in the Australian army. His trainer Ed Ridings says that Shaun was a stand out from the beginning with his approach to the trade and training. Employer Brad Horton of BSH Carpentry has confirmed that Shaun is an outstanding apprentice and exceptional young man.

Shaun's time in the army where he served in East Timor left him with high level skills in time management, communication and task completion. Shaun's maturity and attitude to quality outcomes has seen him complete his apprenticeship in 27 months. During this time Shaun has also built his own house after hours and on the weekends. Shaun has enjoyed the flexibility that the Blue Dog Training System has given him in being able to choose when he would do his training and also to do the competency as he was actually doing them on the job.

Shaun is a very active in his community and is heavily involved with the youth group at his local church. Shaun is a great role model and leader for these young people who sometimes struggle with finding meaning and direction in their lives. Shaun was also part of a group who travelled to Fiji to assist villagers. His carpentry skills were well used in the refurbishment of the village church.

What does Shaun see as the future in construction? Now more than ever, modern owners need a relationship of trust from their builder who can offer advice based on his previous experience on the use and performance of products. For example when choosing exterior cladding, factors such as design and finish, insulation properties and climate change need to be considered and clearing understood by the owner.

The impact of climate change and the need for dwellings to be energy efficient are driving major changes in the industry. Daily on the job, we are aware of the water crisis in Queensland as it has changed many of our processes. Climate change is also having an impact with the need for considerations of insulation, water and energy conservation etc. ever increasing.

Shaun believes however, that a forever constant in the building industry is the importance of relationship between builder and client. Trends come and go, products continue to improve, but ultimately a happy customer is one who has had a relationship with a builder who has the ability to deliver a quality outcome for the right price in the agreed time frame.

Shan says "My employer Brad is a true craftsman who does not need to advertise. His clients find him because they are looking for quality. Working one on one with Brad has been the highlight of my apprenticeship and the skills that I have learned from Brad will stay with me all my working life. My ambition is to become a builder in my own right and to pass on my skills to apprentices of my own."

In spite of Shaun's success in the areas of carpentry and training he was keen to let us know that he sees his greatest achievement being in a marriage with a wonderful wife and to be eagerly awaiting the birth of their first child.

Blue Dog training is proud to nominate Shaun to represent them in the industry and in the community and wishes him all the best in the upcoming Queensland Training Awards.