Nhanh's story

Nhanh Ho arrived with his family from Vietnam when he was three years old. While their first accommodation may have been what he describes as ‘a shed’, they soon moved into public housing in the Springvale area.

After finishing school he worked at a bakery and then in a factory, but he wanted to do more and had dreams of becoming a plumber. After two years of applying for plumbing apprenticeships, but being rejected because of his lack of qualifications he was offered an interview for an apprenticeship as part of the Public Tenant Employment Program (a program designed to give public housing tenants the skills they need to find employment). Despite being so excited that he hardly slept the night before the interview, he got the apprenticeship and was asked to start the following Monday.

"I couldn’t believe it, I was so excited’ enthuses Nhanh, ‘my Mum, Dad and partner were so excited too because plumbing is a good trade."

The first year was really tough but also very rewarding as he got to work with different people learning all the skills involved in becoming a plumber. After two years of making his dream of becoming a plumber a reality, Nhanh embarked on another of his life dreams and bought his own home. While it was very tough financially, Nhanh says

"I was always dreaming of owning my own house and starting my new life, this apprenticeship helped a lot. This is really incredible for my life, to be honest."

Nhanh now only has six months of his four year apprenticeship left to complete, and he and his partner are expecting their first baby in three months.

“Without the training program I wouldn’t have had a chance to get my new home. I have a good family today, I have a good career and a good future. These programs are excellent because they give you an opportunity and they support you”.

Not content with what he has achieved so far, Nhanh also wants to do some more training and is now dreaming of running his own business and employing his own apprentices

"hopefully people from public housing if possible," he says with a smile.