Chase Sheridan has finished his two-year drainlaying apprenticeship and is excited about the future ahead.
The 22-year-old has spent his Masterlink apprenticeship working for host Gary Gardiner at All Septic and Drainage Ltd in Mosgiel, Otago. He enjoys the different jobs he gets to work on and operating the machinery most of all. Variety is a big part of what he loves about being a drainlayer.
He mainly works on residential drainage jobs, like septic tanks, effluent fields and water connections to the mains from new residential sites.
“I started off working on the machinery when I first joined All Septic and Drainage before I started my apprenticeship. You are never stuck in one place as you usually spend just a few days on a job site and then you are off somewhere else. I just love it,” says Chase.
There is no doubt that having the right work ethic and attitude will get you anywhere. As a young person coming into the industry, it is important to work hard, plus keep the older guys happy and just do your best.
- Chase Sheridan
He says the key to succeeding as a young worker not long out of school is all to do with being a good, hard worker.
“There is no doubt that having the right work ethic and attitude will get you anywhere. As a young person coming into the industry, it is important to work hard, plus keep the older guys happy and just do your best.”
Chase is grateful to have done his apprenticeship through Masterlink. Owned by Master Plumbers, Masterlink places apprentices with host companies for on-job training all over New Zealand. Masterlink specialises in mentored plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying apprenticeships; supporting their apprentices every step of the way.
“Masterlink organise everything with the block courses we do,” says Chase. “All we have to do is drive to the course and they book the hotel and pay you an allowance for diesel and food. They organise all that sort of stuff for any courses you need and Masterlink pay your wages while you are on the course. We are kept up-to-date with regular meetings and progress reports.”
I have had the pleasure of seeing Chase's progress and how much he is valued at All Septic and Drainage. Gary has big plans for Chase, and that speaks volumes about the person and skilled tradesperson that he is. He is a really mature young man with an exciting future ahead of him. I wish him all the best.
- Danny Ledwith, Masterlink Regional Manager Otago & South Canterbury
Chase has made giant strides since leaving the North Island’s East Coast to travel to Dunedin four years ago.
He moved around a lot growing up. He went to 10 different schools, including two years living in Canada and one year in America. He particularly enjoyed his three years at Tolaga Bay Area School.
Chase is one of the few students from the tiny catchment to be selected for the prestigious Hurricanes Under-17 rugby team. He later went on to play for both the Under-18 and Under-20 Hurricanes teams.
For Year 13, Chase moved to Gisborne Boys’ High School where he took PE Rugby, Calculus, History, Physics and Biology. He was keen on working with machinery right through his school years but his move to Dunedin was due to another reason.
“I left school and started driving machinery and playing rugby, but I knew I needed to move out of town. My girlfriend started at Otago University and I always wanted to move down south so I went to Dunedin and have been here ever since.”
The future is looking bright for Chase. Gary is delighted that this impressive qualified young tradesman is staying on at his company. Plans are being made for Chase to be in charge of the company within a few years.
This article, written by Peter White, first appeared in Leaving School magazine Issue #26