IntoWork Australia

This week marks National Reconciliation Week, a time for all Australians to reflect on our shared histories, cultures and achievements and the role each of us plays in shaping a more inclusive future.

This year’s theme, All In, is a call for collective action. It reminds us that reconciliation is not a spectator effort and that meaningful change requires all of us to contribute every day.

At IntoWork, our vision of Vibrant Futures is grounded in respect, opportunity and collaboration. We are committed to working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities to support equitable pathways, strengthen understanding and create lasting outcomes.

Being All In means listening, learning and taking action not just this week, but through the choices we make and the work we do every day.

Sometimes, the first step into a career opens a door you never expected.

When Ky Nichols sat down for his first interview, he did not yet realise it would lead to working on machinery built for some of the harshest environments on earth. After leaving school early to find a hands-on pathway, Ky connected with Work & Training and started a Mobile Plant Mechanic apprenticeship that would take his skills further than he imagined.

Now in his third year, Ky is working in Hobart with the Australian Antarctic Division, helping refurbish specialised vehicles used for operations in sub‑Antarctic conditions. From amphibious recovery vehicles to over‑snow transporters, the diversity of his work has allowed him to build technical skills few apprentices ever have the opportunity to develop.

That momentum was recently recognised when Ky was named Second Year Apprentice of the Year at the 2025 Work & Training Awards. A late application and a unique career pathway made his achievement even more memorable, showing how far he has come since that first interview.

With Antarctica firmly in his sights and long‑term goals forming on the ice, Ky’s journey is a reminder that when curiosity meets opportunity, careers can take shape in extraordinary ways.

Read Ky’s full story: https://bit.ly/4uuoWl2