Metro third year apprentice Lal Than Thu Bawitlung (left) and Metro diesel mechanic Michael McCarthy.
An apprenticeship as a mechanic with Metro in Launceston has helped Burmese refugee Lal Than Thu Bawitlung adjust to his new life in Tasmania.
Lal left Burma at the age of 14 and spent three years as a refugee in Malaysia before arriving in Australia as an eighteen-year-old with limited English. Lal, one of Metro’s six apprentices, says it had been difficult to find a way into the Tasmanian workforce until Metro gave him a go and accepted him as a mechanical apprentice. Now, three years into the apprenticeship, Lal says it has helped him improve his English and make the transition to “cold and quiet” Tasmania.
Lal is a great addition to the Metro team and we are pleased to not only provide a job and training but also to play a role in helping one of our newest citizens play an active part in the community.
Metro regularly employ apprentice diesel mechanics to assist in maintaining our fleet of some 220 buses state-wide. Apprentices gain knowledge and skills in all facets of vehicle repairs and maintenance including learning skills in the latest technology available on today’s low emission heavy vehicles.
Apprentices complete a four year Certificate 3 Heavy Commercial Mechanical Technology course through TAFE and on the job training at Metro. We contract apprentices through Work and Training Ltd, and encourage anyone interested in an apprenticeship with Metro to register with them.