McIntosh Training Academy providing career opportunities for new apprentices

Orginally published on Farm Weekly April 12, 2022

First-year agricultural mechanical technology apprentices from McIntosh & Son, Georgia Dalton and Chloe Ludlow with McIntosh Training Academy compliance manager Paul Berghella.

AS McIntosh & Son’s first two female first-year agricultural mechanical technician apprentices, Georgia Dalton, 18, and Chloe Ludlow, 21, are typical of the eclectic mix of their apprentice colleagues.

Georgia, from Boyup Brook but now living in Kojonup and working at McIntosh & Son Katanning, grew up on a small farm, mainly cropping and running sheep.

She completed years 10, 11 and 12 at WA College of Agriculture - Denmark and already had some experience with farm equipment before she joined the company after a family friend pointed out there were apprenticeships going with dealership group.

“I looked it up on their website and applied,” she said last week. “It’s been really good and I’m learning a lot.”

Chloe on the other hand admits to being an Albany “town girl” who only visited a couple of farms with her truck driver father who carted sheep.

She worked in hospitality, pulling beers in a local pub after finishing year 12 at high school, before an uncle who worked at McIntosh & Son Katanning suggested she might want to lift her career sights a little.

“I started in parts at the Albany dealership for five or six months and moved to the service department and started my apprenticeship in August last year - it’s been a good opportunity,” she said.

According to their trainers and service managers, both are already setting high standards among their colleagues.

Others, like Jack Costa, 18, who grew up in Collie and whose only connection to agriculture was years 11 and 12 at WA College of Agriculture - Narrogin, answered an advertisement because there was little else on offer in his home town.

Brock Kleinig, 17, from Gawler in South Australia, had helped for the past three harvests on his grandfather’s and uncle’s farms at Cascade and got talking to McIntosh & Son technicians when they called in for warranty work.

He submitted a resume and now works at McIntosh & Son Esperance.

Tom Maquire, 27, had followed his school teacher girlfriend from western Victoria to WA and ended up in Kulin about five years ago.

Working on farms around the district he was at a function after work at McIntosh & Son Kulin when he was offered a job.

“I hadn’t really thought about becoming a mechanic before, but it suits me now,” he said.

Training will continue throughout the year at the two registered training centres; McIntosh & Son Wongan Hills and Katanning. Applicants interested in the 2023 apprenticeship intake can apply anytime between now and October 2022. Applications and further information are available via mcintoshandson.com.au/careers