From Barriers to Builders: Young Tasmanians Graduate as Qualified Tradies
In a heartwarming milestone for St Joseph Affordable Homes, Kurt Beschle, Sean Robb, Hugh Patman, and Zeke Sharman have officially graduated from their apprenticeships, completing their TAFE qualifications and stepping into the workforce as fully qualified tradespeople.
Four years ago, each of the graduates was offered an apprenticeship through St Joseph Affordable Homes, a nationally acclaimed social enterprise with a dual mission: to provide meaningful employment opportunities for young Tasmanians and to alleviate housing stress and homelessness.
“This will always be a proud moment for us,” said Adrian Broomhall, CEO of St Joseph Affordable Homes. “Seeing these young people, who have experienced exponential growth and overcome complex challenges, now standing proud as qualified tradespeople. It’s exactly why we do what we do.”
They were further supported by Loreto Community Housing’s Build Up Tassie program, a construction work-readiness and wellbeing support initiative. This program encompassed support at the pre-employment stage and throughout their apprenticeship. It is targeted towards young people facing significant barriers to employment including homelessness, disengagement from education, and involvement in the youth justice system. Each of the graduates have faced their own barriers to employment and have inspiring stories.
For Hugh Patman, the transformation has been life changing. After leaving college to support his young family, Hugh found himself stuck in a cycle of unfulfilling courses and financial uncertainty. That changed when he discovered Build Up Tassie. He says that it gave him something to work toward and helped him get out of the house, have a sense of belonging, and gave him real-world skills. Now a father of three, Hugh will qualify in July and will continue full-time with Choices Flooring Kingston.
Kurt Beschle’ s story is equally inspiring. After realizing his initial apprenticeship wasn’t providing the growth he needed, Kurt joined St Joseph Affordable Homes and found the hands-on experience he was looking for. He has learnt practical skills, how to carry himself as a tradesman, and how to help others grow. Now a qualified carpenter, Kurt is setting his sights on a career in the mining industry, bolstered by additional training in dogging, rigging, and confined spaces.
Sean Robb’s path to his plumbing qualification began with a leap of faith. While working with the Archdiocese of Hobart’s Property Maintenance team alongside Graham Knowles, and doing plastering with his dad, Sean was keeping busy but lacked direction. He took a chance and enquired about an apprenticeship with St Joseph Apprenticeship Program. Sean appreciated the inclusive and supportive environment. His time with host employer, Vince Plumbing, gave him broad exposure to the building industry and helped him develop strong interpersonal skills. Sean officially qualified on April 11 and has since started full-time with Vince Plumbing. Sean says one of his greatest achievements is buying his own home. This is a testament to his hard work and perseverance.
Zeke Sharman’s journey is one of resilience and transformation. Working at McDonald’s and heading down a path he knew wasn’t right. Zeke was determined to break the cycle of hardship he’d grown up with. After he joined Build Up Tassie, he found a new direction. “I didn’t want to be a dropkick my whole life,” Zeke said. Throughout his apprenticeship with St Joseph, Zeke not only learned a trade but discovered who he wanted to be. He became a father, twice, during his apprenticeship, balancing parenthood and work with determination. Zeke qualified on April 4 and is now working full-time with Podmatrix, gaining new skills in the modular homes sector.
Bella Quinn, Apprentice Coach at St Joseph Affordable Homes, reflected on the graduates’ journeys with pride. “It has been such a pleasure to watch all four apprentices grow into amazing young men. They should all be very proud of the way they’ve conducted themselves throughout their apprenticeships and the impact they’ve made on St Joseph Affordable Homes. They will always hold a special place in our hearts.”
At its core, St Joseph Affordable Homes is more than a builder of houses, it’s a builder of futures. Rooted in the values of compassion, dignity, and service, the organisation embodies the Catholic commitment to social justice and community upliftment. Every project is an opportunity to change lives, and every apprentice is a reminder of what’s possible when people are given a chance.
As these four young men step into the next chapter of their lives, they carry with them not just a trade, but a legacy of resilience, growth, and hope.