Munashe made the move from South Africa to Australia, arriving Christmas Day in 2018, following his Parents & brothers who had arrived earlier in July that year to start a new life in Australia.
Having completed his Certificate I in Fitting & Turning in South Africa, Munashe was fortunate to start a Metal Fabrication Apprenticeship with Walpett Engineering in Queanbeyan NSW in April 2019, and became trade qualified in 2022.
With the challenge of being on a separate visa from his Parents, being over 21 years of age, Munashe could not apply for permanent residency with his Parents and family and sought to find visa sponsorship opportunities to allow him to stay in Australia.
I searched DAMA opportunities on the government website, saw Bowhill Engineering – checked out their website and thought that looks really cool, I liked the big stuff Boweng was working on, applied for an opportunity.
When looking for sponsorship, my biggest worry/fear was experience, I was super fresh to the Metal Fabrication trade, Boweng has encouraged growth and development of my skills, the change was definitely different to the work I had been doing, quite challenging and technical at the start, but it has given me an opportunity to grow and learn a lot, and work with a large group of young people similar age to me who are also growing in their trade.
Upon securing a sponsored position with Bowhill Engineering, Munashe made the move to SA, whilst his family moved to Melbourne, whilst it’s been hard separated from family, Bowhill Engineering assisted in providing accommodation at the start and connection to local sport, community groups followed by further support in finding more permanent accommodation in the region.
Now married to his beautiful Wife, Vicky and settled in Murray Bridge. Munashe has aspirations for further growth including potentially studying mechanical engineering at university online, continue to upgrade his skills, and continue to work in the steel industry.
I am extremely grateful for Boweng, how they helped me, my family is also very grateful (I had even started making plans, potentially facing return home at the time of Boweng sponsorship) and for the support Boweng gave to me in the relocation of my Wife to Australia. Additional employee benefits including Employee Assistance Program etc have also been great in the transition to our new life and new opportunities.
