Building the future, one apprentice at a time

FOR Golightly Constructions director Matt Golightly, quality craftsmanship starts with quality training.

For more than a decade, Matt has been creating bespoke, high-end homes across the Bellarine Peninsula, a reputation built on skill, precision and pride in the trade.

Matt’s journey has come full circle. An award-winning carpentry apprentice during his studies at The Gordon, he understands first-hand the value of strong foundations.

Today, he continues that legacy by investing in the next generation, with three apprentices currently studying at The Gordon while working within his business.

“Well-trained apprentices are critical to the success of building in our region,” Matt said. “When apprentices come from The Gordon, you know they are learning relevant skills, taking it back to the worksite and applying it”.

For Matt, apprentice training isn’t just about filling roles, it’s about shaping confident, capable tradespeople who can grow with the business.

Having trained at The Gordon himself, he knows the importance of structured learning combined with real-world experience.

“Apprentices love a day in trade school,” Matt said. “It allows them to meet other peers breaking into the industry and learn from teachers who want to make a real impact.”

Across a four-year apprenticeship at The Gordon, carpentry apprentices attend the East Geelong Campus, learning everything from constructing roof frames to building curved walls in a safe and inclusive environment. Apprentices learn from industry-leading teachers and work alongside students from other trades, including electricians and plumbers, in shared learning spaces that simulate real working environments.

The Gordon offers pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships and post-trade qualifications in building and site management, supporting learners at every stage of their career. This pathway ensures students develop both technical skills and leadership capability, preparing them for long-term success in a growth industry.

By choosing The Gordon, Matt is helping ensure the future of quality building on the Bellarine one apprentice at a time.

For information on a career in building and construction or sending an apprentice, head to thegordon.edu.au today.

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