Jack Potter has secured a building apprenticeship for next year after completing his VCE this year.
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Jack Potter was diligently working away at his VCE when an unexpected opportunity arose that changed his future course.
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The 18-year-old Greater Shepparton Secondary College graduate was one of many Year 12 finishers in the Goulburn Valley to obtain their ATAR scores last week.
But after studying literature, maths methods, PE, history revolutions and applied computing, Jack’s future is now in construction, having secured himself a building apprenticeship before exam time rolled around.
Jack, who spoke to The News late on Thursday after a hot day on a building site at Nathalia, said a teacher at GSSC knew Greg Pearson Building was searching for an apprentice earlier in the year.
She set up a week of work experience around August for Jack to do with the company.
“After that, I told Greg if they were looking for an apprentice I’d be happy to take the job,” Jack said.
“So then he came back and offered me one.”
Jack was then faced with the decision to see his VCE out first or throw in the towel now further training and secure employment after school was a given.
He chose to finish what he’d started and sit his exams, even though he was no longer considering studying something potentially sports science-related at university to eventually work with a football club.
“Once I knew I had the job I didn’t care too much about my score as much,” Jack said.
“I definitely checked it (university options) out; I went down to Melbourne, down to Richmond footy club a couple of times, but I just enjoyed the work experience with Greg and thought it was pretty good.”
Jack is helping the builder out labouring on site until Christmas before officially starting his four-year apprenticeship in 2025.
His school days are over, with his builder’s education all delivered on the job.
Jack believes his trade school provides an onsite trainer, meaning he won’t even have to attend a training facility.
Jack Potter completed Year 12 at Greater Shepparton Secondary College this year.
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Jack, who lives in Kialla with his parents and sister (also a GSSC student and embarking on her VCE journey in Year 11 next year), got his licence last month and has recently bought himself a car, which will help his independence as he enters the working world.
He said while he had mostly enjoyed the social side of VCE being with his friends, he had struggled with motivation and time management in Year 12 while he played footy for the Shepp Swans and worked part-time at Hungry Jack’s.
Now, this Jack is hungry for a different routine.
His advice to others deciding about their futures after VCE is to, “Explore all your options before you make your decision.”
“Definitely do some work experience first to see if you like it,” Jack said.
Sound advice that certainly gives others something to ‘build’ on from there.
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