Employer spotlight: Dylan’s journey from apprentice to employer

A decade after completing his apprenticeship in Wall and Ceiling Lining, Dylan is now building a successful business and investing in the next generation of tradespeople.

Determined to provide a better experience than his own, he has employed and is mentoring his first apprentice, Aaron, while participating in Apprenticeship Support Australia's Employer Mentoring program to help develop the next generation of skilled tradespeople.

A challenging, hands-on beginning

Dylan's apprenticeship journey was far from straightforward. Throughout his training, he worked with four different employers, navigating significant challenges that tested his resilience and commitment to the trade. Despite these difficulties, he successfully completed his apprenticeship and gained the skills and experience needed to build a career in the industry.

Following completion of his apprenticeship, Dylan stepped away from the trade, and secured employment at OneSteel in Whyalla. However, his passion for Wall and Ceiling Lining remained strong, and he continued taking on trade work after hours while considering his long-term future.

Becoming a mentor

In October 2025, Dylan took the leap into business ownership and established his own company, Kuchel Maintenance. As demand for his services grew rapidly, he found himself struggling to keep up with the workload. Although hesitant about employing an apprentice due to his own experiences during training, encouragement from his wife ultimately led him to reconsider.

Just eight months after launching his business, Dylan employed his first apprentice.

“I wanted to make sure that if I took on an apprentice, they would have a positive experience and receive the support I wished I had throughout parts of my own apprenticeship journey,” Dylan said.

His apprentice, Aaron, is undertaking a dual trade apprenticeship in Wall and Ceiling Lining as well as Painting and Decorating, and is thriving under Dylan's guidance. With strong mentoring, hands-on training and a supportive workplace culture, Aaron is developing valuable skills and making significant progress in his apprenticeship. Aaron, as a first-time apprentice, is also receiving mentoring from Apprenticeship Support Australia.

Participation in the Employer Mentoring Program

As his business continues to grow, Dylan is already considering employing another apprentice, further demonstrating his commitment to developing skilled workers and supporting the future of the industry.

As a new employer, Dylan is also participating in Employer Mentoring through Apprenticeship Support Australia. This free service provides employers with practical guidance, resources and ongoing support to help them successfully recruit, train and retain apprentices.

With the assistance of the Employer Mentoring program, Dylan has continued to strengthen his leadership skills and build a positive workplace environment where apprentices can succeed.

Dylan's journey from apprentice to employer highlights the lasting impact of apprenticeships and the important role employers play in shaping the future workforce. By investing in apprentices, he is not only growing his business but also creating opportunities for the next generation of skilled tradespeople.

Interested in employing an apprentice?

Apprenticeship Support Australia's free Employer Mentoring service can help you navigate every stage of the apprenticeship journey, from recruitment through to successful completion.