For SuniTAFE graduate Isaac Govindasamy, the decision to pursue automotive studies was the result of careful planning, parental guidance, and a childhood dream.
Isaac crossed the stage at the SuniTAFE graduation this year with a dual qualification; he completed Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology and Certificate IV in Automotive Mechanical Diagnosis.
He is currently working towards his Diploma of Automotive Technology which he is scheduled to complete in June 2024.
Isaac is enrolled as an international student. He grew up in Malaysia but moved to Australia two months after completing year 12.
SuniTAFE provides many opportunities for international students to travel to Australia and gain skills in high demand areas, including automotive, hospitality, and early childhood education and care.
So far this year, more than 30 new students from countries across the globe have commenced a course with SuniTAFE.
Isaac always knew he would study an automotive course, but studying in Australia and at SuniTAFE has created new and exciting opportunities for him.
“Since I was 8-years-old I already had my mind set on being a mechanic,” Isaac said.
“I chose to study in Australia because here I get to learn and make sure I understand what I’m doing and have the safest way to do it. And my employers would actually make sure that I’m doing it the safest way possible.
“So, after I decided I wanted to come to Australia I looked at different options of TAFEs and locations and SuniTAFE was one of the higher ranked options. Plus, I had family in Victoria already so it all worked out.”
As he reaches the end of his time with SuniTAFE, Isaac is applying to study the Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering at university to further develop his expertise.
“I chose to study at TAFE before university based on what my dad used to do,” Isaac said.
“My dad did a program with the German-Malaysian Institute where they get you to do two years of practical work before you go into the theory of the work.
“Based on my dad’s experience, this really helped to make the theory clearer after doing the practical work. With me wanting to be a mechanic, we thought that if I do the mechanical, hands-on TAFE courses first it would definitely help with the university theory part later on.
“So, now that I have my TAFE background, I can relate the mechanical engineering content back to cars which will be great because there’s not really much of an automotive engineering path in Australia anymore.”
Isaac also represented his peers earlier this year at an automotive expo in Melbourne.
“The main thing I gained from the expo was the four diagnostic sessions run by an American expert who owns his own diagnostic mobile mechanic service,” he said.
“The knowledge I got from that was amazing because it is based off his experience and it’s not just theory by itself. He really understood what he was doing and he explained it to us in terms of what was going on in his brain while he was doing the diagnostic work.
“This is going to help me a lot in the future.”
Interested in studying in Mildura and unlocking these opportunities for yourself?
Click here for a full list of international courses available at SuniTAFE.