Where are they now? Joiner Ben Madden
Ben Madden completed his Joinery apprenticeship with Spectrum Joinery, CIT, in January 1997; twenty years later he runs three successful business and employs eighty people.
Ben said: “I always wanted to work in the trade industry; my dad was a carpenter and I enjoyed working with my hands. I chose the apprenticeship route as I was keen to get out into the real world and learn a skill that would set me up for life.”
Ben highlights learning the trade from experienced tradespeople and meeting great friends along the way as two positive aspects of his Australian Apprenticeship and would encourage any young person considering an apprenticeship to ‘go for it’!
With a natural competitive streak, Ben was attracted to WorldSkills competitions and following his success received a BBM Youth Support Award for Skilled Futures award to travel to the UK to develop his Joinery skills and knowledge.
“WorldSkills taught me about working under pressure and managing my time efficiently. My WorldSkills Journey, along with my trip to the UK, gave me the skills and confidence to start my own business and pass on what I have learnt to others. The words I would use to sum up the experience are challenging, enjoyable and rewarding.”
Ben’s core business Capital Veneering, is a multiple MBA and HIA Award winner and its work can be seen inside Parliament House, The Canberra School of Music and the Australian Federal Police headquarters as well as in private homes across Australia. He also runs Capital Solid Surface and Capital Coatings; a polyurethane paint shop spray-painting furniture and kitchen components for the joinery industry.