Darwin local Matthew Cubis's career is set to take off, thanks to his hard work, positive can-do attitude, and a recently completed apprenticeship with Ventia.

Matthew has spent the past three years working on the TRACE joint venture, through which Ventia provides maintenance services at the world-leading INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG project in Darwin.

At the same time as he was working onsite gaining valuable, hands-on experience, Matthew was also completing a Mechanical apprenticeship.

For Matthew, this proved to be an ideal way to earn money and gain experience on a world-class project, all while setting himself up for the future with certified qualifications.

When I heard about the opportunity for apprenticeships with Ventia and TRACE it sounded like the ideal set up for me.

"I really wanted to upskill and make myself available for the opportunities I could see around me in the Darwin area', he said.

Hard work has paid off

This commitment to his future and grasping the opportunities that come his way has proven very beneficial for Matthew. Now with a Certificate III in Mechanical Engineering in hand, and by creating a great reputation on site as a skilful and committed worker, he has been offered direct employment with INPEX as a qualified Mechanical Fitter.

"Being part of the Ventia and TRACE team has been amazing," Matthew said. 

I've gained so much experience with many different areas on site. Ichthys LNG is huge and I feel like we're at the forefront of the industry working on jobs other trades don't get to see.

"I've also been lucky to experience work with other local businesses Winnellie Hydraulics, Callidus and Pressure Dynamics through an offsite rotation. This has been such a great eye opener to other types of business and given me exposure to even more parts of the trade. 

"I've had a great supporter base throughout the apprenticeship and really enjoyed the people and the work," Matthew concluded.

Awarded Outstanding Apprentice of the Year

It's not just Ventia, TRACE and INPEX who are impressed with Matthew's achievements - in 2021 his training excellence and achievements won him the 2021 GTNT Outstanding Apprentice of the Year Stage 3.

Since completing his apprenticeship with Ventia, Matthew now works for INPEX as a Mechanical Fitter and still gets to work alongside his Ventia colleagues. 

A proud Larrakia man (the Larrakia people are the traditional owners of the lands and waters in and surrounding Darwin), Matthew encourages others in his community to consider an apprenticeship program, and see where it takes them. 

To anyone in my community I would say absolutely go for it. Apprenticeships like this are a great opportunity to upskill yourself and make yourself employable anywhere in Australia and around the world - it opens up so many opportunities.

With his new qualifications, experience and exposure to world-class projects, and a long term goal to be a subject matter expert within the industry, the world certainly is Matthew's oyster.

Congratulations, Matthew. We are proud of everything you've achieved and wish you all the very best for a long and happy career ahead.