The Apprentice

From the Film Australia Collection. Made by the Commonwealth Film Unit 1969. Directed by Alan Harkness. This documentary shows how the decision to become an apprentice affects a young migrant making a new life in Australia. Filmed on location in the Ford automotive plant in Geelong, the apprentice explains the role of the Commonwealth Employment Service in advising students on their future careers and the State Apprenticeship Commissions in administering the contract between employer and apprentice. It also outlines the training schemes which an apprentice might reasonably expect to encounter while undertaking an apprenticeship.

[@bradonj]

I did my apprenticeship at Ford. Started January 1982 and stayed until December 2005. I did not know it at the time, but it was the best job I ever had.

[@mrbrad4637]

Hello Brad.. Such a shame Ford and Holden no longer build Aussie cars 😫. I'm devistated.. I just purchased a 2008 BFII XR8 with only 54,000km as it will be my last chance to own a nice Aussie built V8

[@Angryetigaming]

My dad got me into watching this old stuff I’m really liking it

[@NFSAFilms]

Great, welcome aboard. And thanks for letting us know.

[@Angryetigaming]

@@NFSAFilms Well not really I found this channel for looking for some old Australian history

[@philxray666]

The Aussie accent really has changed over the last 50 years. It would be totally weird to hear Aussies talk like that nowadays!

[@mborder8428]

The main apprentice character has a strong English accent even though he says he moved to Geelong when he was 7.

[@mindimoom9142]

@@mborder8428 He sounded like Frank from Some Mothers Do Ave Em.

[@paulmurray7500]

For some reason they tried to make us sound like Poms

[@TheMatadrum]

Victorians have always had a slightly strange accent. You can still hear it in some old timers.

[@danrobinson572]

Great video love the old ness of the video. And I really loved how long it was. Hopefully we get a video of the painters and dockers.

[@NFSAFilms]

Whoa! We just published a Sydney Harbour film especially for you Dan. You're a hard task master ;)

[@danrobinson572]

@@NFSAFilms yeah I can be a hard task as my wife says. And I appreciate that harbor video you put out a week ago. I really appreciate that video from the bottom of my heart ❤️. Your channel is really really awesome. And your country is really beautiful!!

[@NFSAFilms]

No worries Dan - only stirring (as we say out here). Looking for painter /docker films now. You know there was an Australian band in the 80s called The Painters and Dockers kzbin.info/www/bejne/haellImJZpuSjq8

[@danrobinson572]

@@NFSAFilms just looked it up and not my kind of music. Well hopefully you find a video on it. And thanks 🙏 again!!

[@NFSAFilms]

Yes should have added a disclaimer ;)

[@operationskypebbles8583]

I love these old documentaries, but would be equally fascinated to find out where these apprentices are now. It was made 51 years ago so it would be great to see where their vocation took them and their families. Mr Carroll would be in his mid to late 70’s now. It would be great if money could be commissioned by The NFSA, or current iteration to do detective work to track the people down they used for the documentary and have that as part of the film in addition to what I wrote above. I am immensely fascinated about life back then and how Australia looked, especially the Sydney CBD as I live in The Greater Sydney area. I also have friends who were alive and lived in Geelong where some of this documentary was made. Thanks NFSA for preserving these precious glimpses of a past I wish we still lived in.

[@NFSAFilms]

Interestingly, this film was uploaded at the request of some of the people who appeared in it.

[@operationskypebbles8583]

@@NFSAFilms Thanks for your kind reply. That’s great they are still here to tell their stories, and it would be great if they could provide an insight into where their life has taken them since the archival footage you wonderfully presented.

[@skevosmavros]

I love these old informational films. But only 480P for this one? Or is KZbin still processing?

[@NFSAFilms]

Thank you for the feedback. This title is from an SD source only. No HD copy at this stage.

[@danrobinson572]

@@NFSAFilms great video and what year was this and what part of Australia?

[@NFSAFilms]

Hi Dan - 1969. Geelong, Victoria.

[@danrobinson572]

@@NFSAFilms also I’m a subscriber on Facebook!!

[@danrobinson572]

@@NFSAFilms ok 👍 thanks

[@NathanChisholm041]

Kids don't want trades anymore there no incentive and they have become lazy They need to start pushing for more apprenticeship here in Australia again and start making our own goods...

[@TheEarthHistorysConfusing]

Back when the government actually cared about younger generations of youth getting jobs. It was a sad day when the ces closed and outsourced. Also noticed how every one saved their money and went without? This is a huge issue with the younger generations of wanting now pay later and paying extra when all they had to do was go without, wait and save. It's truly sad.

[@BronsonTheCat]

Not just governments but also big business. Today’s youth need guidance and work to ensure they become contributing members of society and not a burden.

[@mrbrad4637]

Housing needs to become affordable again.. it's a sad state of affairs when people like me who work 50hrs a week will never be able to retire or afford a home.. How can one save a deposit when you can't find anything to rent under $400 a week and even that is considered cheap rent these days.. 😫

[@grahamsengineering.2532]

Wow this does bring back memories. Learn't how to use a shaper in High School as well as TAFE in Sydney and have one in my Workshop now. Started with an Australian built Douglas then upgraded to a 22" Toolroom Shaper that was built in Hungary in 1967. Love the old school stuff. Thank you NFSA for sharing.

[@NFSAFilms]

Thanks for sharing your stories too. Glad you enjoyed the film.

[@rocnoir4233]

Still got a shaper down here at Kangan Broadmeadows

[@AussieTVMusic]

I was an apprentice. Brings back great memories.

[@127069]

I was apprenticed at fords Dagenham england in the 1990’s Biggest load of out of date crap still teaching as if working on Victorian machinery. Leaving and having to learn cnc was a eye opener to the real world. Still regret it as I wanted to be a architect!

[@rocnoir4233]

Finished my apprenticeship in the 2000's but used imperial measurements converted in the noggin at the old milling machine and spent countless hours filing, scraping and standing at a radial arm drilling machine drilling plates and feet for all sorts of stuff. I had the fortune of being able to learn from a bunch of fitters in their 60's and also my Uncle who was qualified as both fitter and smithy. Heat is an invaluable tool.

[@Osamailyas]

The accent in Old days was very soft and decent, easy to understand.

[@jaredlamb9721]

Great film

[@Angryetigaming]

First

[@janramonmartin]

never forget that richard nixon stole this future from you