TWO Bowral brothers have achieved excellence in construction on a national level.
But the outstanding success is not uncommon for their family with an older brother securing similar results in another field several years earlier.
Chevalier College vice-captain and Year 12 student Billy Rofe, 17, recently won gold at the Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Schools National Championship for construction.
Meanwhile, Shane Rofe, 21, took gold for carpentry in another section of the event, the open level of the World Skills Competition.
They are following in the footsteps of their older brother, Jacob, 23, who won gold at the VET in Schools National Championships for Primary Industries while he was a Year 12 student at Chevalier College in 2004.
Shane, who is in the final year of a carpentry apprenticeship with Jim Sell’s Quality Country Homes, has secured continued success this year with top honours in the TAFE Illawarra Building and Construction Student of the Year Awards.
The achievements for Shane came in the wake of a possible setback after he had an operation on his hand after a football injury a week before competing in the World Skills competition, but in true Rofe spirit he battled through with his handicap to secure top honours.
He said his success was made easier because of the ongoing support and quality training he received through his job.
All three brothers concede their respective achievements have come with plenty of opportunity, including free tuition for some TAFE courses.
Shane has also won a trip to London in 2011, where he will gain additional work experience and become involved in team leadership building programs.
But above all, the achievements have validated the ability of the trio on their chosen career paths.
Shane and Billy have long been interested in a carpentry career, following in their father, Toby Rofe’s, footsteps. Toby is a licensed builder who now owns a steel and fencing business.
Recent successes are helping Shane and Billy to also cement their positions in the building industry.
They agree that gold medals in these competitions look good on their resume.
Shane is nearing the end of the fourth year of his apprenticeship and has already begun working on securing a builders’ licence through the Housing Industry Association.
Billy has started seeking out prospects for a carpentry apprenticeship when he finishes his HSC at the end of the year. He has already pinned his hopes on competing in the World Skills competition as an apprentice.
Jacob has taken a diversion from his early success in primary industries, instead pursuing a dream to become a truck driver with his own truck.
He is currently working for Hayters Haulage, Sutton Forest, carting livestock all over NSW.
The brothers agree the early development of their vocational skills were encouraged and well guided by dedicated staff at Chevalier College.
Shane and Billy attribute much of their early training to construction teacher Bruce Shepherd. Jacob said he learnt a lot from Primary Industries teacher Dave Kent.
Regardless of the chosen career paths, it is clear the Rofe brothers approach their work with commitment, enthusiasm and a drive to succeed and for that they are reaping the rewards.
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