By CASEY NEILL
A SANDRA George Manufacturing Industry Scholarship didn’t just allow Alex Wall to continue his education – it landed him a job.
South East Melbourne Manufacturers’ Alliance (SEMMA) awarded two of the scholarships at its Christmas cocktail evening at The Drum.
They’re designed to provide financial assistance to passionate people who need help to pursue a manufacturing-related course at Chisholm Institute of TAFE.
Mr Wall had completed an Advanced Diploma in Mechatronics, and this year was set to start an engineering degree at Chisholm in Dandenong with the scholarship funds.
The 20-year-old had a motorbike accident in 2008 that caused a severe brain injury. He had to learn to walk, talk, breathe and eat again, and doctors initially predicted he’d spend the rest of his life in a nursing home.
AW Bell CEO Andrew Meek watched Mr Wall ask for help to take the stage to accept his scholarship, despite his stutter and limp, thank the people who’d supported him and share his journey.
He marvelled at his positivity and courage.
“It was a big deal, in front of all those people,” he said.
Mr Meek approached him with an opportunity to interview for a position with the casting company.
“He sent through his CV at 11.30pm that night,” he said.
“He performed well in the interview and was the preferred candidate for the position.”
Mr Wall’s been working with AW Bell as a machinist since January and completing an apprenticeship in fitting and turning.
“What sets the good people apart is their attitude,” Mr Meek said.
He said a company could help improve skills of someone with a good attitude , but people with the skills and a poor attitude were hard to work with.
He encouraged those considering a career in manufacturing to be someone always looking to make improvements rather than waiting for someone else to take the lead.
