Simon Parry finished his apprenticeship early this year with Pacific Hydro and now works as a fully qualified wind turbine fitter and turner. He started in aluminium smelting before making the switch. "The future is in renewable energy and there were great opportunities in wind farming, so I transferred," says Parry.

Henow spends many of his days high up on the turbine towers, and is currently located at Pacific Hydro's Yambuk farm.

"I make sure the turbines are running smoothly and change out components if needed to maximise turbine efficiency," Parry says.

When asked about the height and safety, he says, laughing. "Oh, the climbing platforms are all enclosed. We're not hoisted up on ropes! At the very top, you're strapped into a harness and there's an emergency descent device to catch you. Safety is a top priority."

"People have no idea how amazing the technology in wind farming is. Everything from the material of the turbines to the angle of the blades is carefully planned. Everything is put together to harness the smallest of breezes to produce energy, and newer developments are continually improving on existing methods," reveals Parry.

Parry likens wind turbines to robots. "They're much more self-sufficient than people realise. They operate to produce and conserve energy. If there's not enough wind, they sleep! If anything's wrong, they tell us through the computer system, so we can go check it out."

Fault analysis, together with the physical work of ascending the towers to maintain and repair the turbine, requires a broad skill set and problem solving know-how. "There's no boring routine. Every day is a different problem. It keeps me sharp and I'm not stuck in an office," says Parry.

The enthusiasm Parry speaks with leaves little doubt as to why he excelled through his trade classes and was eventually nominated as a finalist of the Young Victoria Apprentice Awards for 2014.

Parry is modest about his success and puts it down to his passion for the field and having supportive mentors. "The more I learned, the more exciting it became. My Pacific Hydro mentors were really inclusive. I knew so little, but they helped me get up to speed and gave me opportunities to learn all of what they did," says Parry.

To those considering an apprenticeship, Parry says enthusiasm is key. "If you're willing to learn and have a go, you can't go wrong. That's what I do at Pacific Hydro, and everyone has been really great about helping me learn. It was a great experience doing an apprenticeship with them and I keep on learning as a full-time operator."

A career in trade has had a huge positive impact on Parry's life. "It really broadened my horizons. I developed a whole new passion in wind farming," says Parry.