Twelve young people and six teachers from three Sydney secondary schools were inspired on Friday 17^th August during their visit to Garden Island Naval Base in Sydney. Staff from THALES Maritime Ship Repairs division organized the day in order to showcase the wide range of employment options available on the Island, especially in trades. In addition to interactive career conversations between students and staff from various THALES work areas and a tour of their workshops, staff from their HR division provided tips to some of the students to help them prepare future job applications for apprenticeship positions at THALES Maritime Ship Repairs.  THALES at garden Island employ about 28 new apprentices every year and they are passionate about providing quality trades training for young people in their well-equipped workshops under supervision of highly skilled and dedicated staff.

The feedback from participating teachers, students and THALES staff was extremely positive.

One teacher wrote:

“Thank you so much for facilitating such a fantastic day. Mark (a student) said to me as we walked out of the gates that 'it was the best excursion that he'd ever been on.' He was joined with a chorus of agreement. It was a really good day that happened in a very natural way. The students enjoyed watching the filling of the dry dock before seeing the ferry leave at lunch. Lunch was great and the students really got a lot out of the advice that Jo and Ian (HR staff) provided at lunch as they went through their documentation.​ …..it was informal and the kids were captivated as it was clear they were finding out exactly how short-listing occurs.

All five students would like to spend time with you next year for work experience. From where I sit that is testament to the effort and time you and your staff spent on Friday making them feel so welcome.”