Titiphan, who has always had a great affinity with building, sees his path of studying English followed by the Certificate III in Carpentry at Orange College is a ‘dream come true’. He originally started his career in Real Estate. Like two sides of the same coin, he has focused on first selling houses and now building them. The Thai native is now working part-time in the carpentry industry helping qualified carpenters make frames for houses, cutting timber and generally being an all-rounder.

Titiphan naturally loved playing with legos as a young boy growing up in Thailand. When he arrived in Australia to study English, he was already clear that he wanted to go into carpentry because he loves working with his hands. He told us: “I feel that working in carpentry is like playing LEGO, but with bigger pieces. And I get paid to do that!”

In his teens, The biggest challenge on-site is to do the jobs fast, and maintain a high standard of quality of work. All of that is pretty incredible when it turns out that he has only been in Melbourne for all of four months!

Reflecting on his study at Orange College so far, the English classes have helped Titiphan get used to the slang and expressions Aussies use everyday. These are the words and phrases like ‘flat out’, ‘chuck a sickie’ and ‘smoko’ that are clear as mud to locals but which you’ll never find in a textbook. More than the lingo though, the cultural understanding and contexualisation of social norms in Australia have helped him cope with working life. .

Eyes firmly set on the future, Titiphan hopes to become a building developer, and set up his own company back in Thailand. After developing his own craft, and getting a first hand understanding of all of the ins and outs of building and working in the construction industry, he hopes to be able to bring that experience and knowledge back to his home country and give young Thais opportunities to thrive in a positive working environment.

“I want to give opportunities to other people, especially international students and young people, because I know first-hand how hard-working we are. I think everyone deserves a fair go, regardless of whether you are a foreigner, an international student, or a young person.”

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