Join us in taking a look inside the process of hiring plumbers from South Africa told by our star performer Wayne. The video and blog covers; what life was like before Gallant, why Wayne wanted to come to Australia, how he discovered Gallant Plumbing, what he likes about Gallant, what life is like in Australia, what life is like at Gallant Plumbing, how the work is different in Australia, what the steps and costs were getting to Australia and some advice for other South Africans looking to make the move.
Meet Wayne from South Africa
Hi, I am Wayne. I am currently employed at Gallant Plumbing and I have been working here for five months.
What was life before Gallant?
My wife and I and our young son were living at ‘Jeffreys Bay’ on the eastern coast of South Africa. It was a fantastic surfing spot and a beautiful piece of the country. I had my own plumbing company there. We had been running it for the last ten to twelve years.
Why did you want to come to Australia?
This was a fantastic company for my family and I to come over for. We wanted to live here to experience Australia and work in Australia of course.
How did you discover Gallant Plumbing?
This was actually really interesting. My wife was in the hospital and she applied for me, for this job. While she was in the hospital, she just let me know that she had done that and it came to me as surprise. That was really interesting. I think in a couple of weeks after I could remember something from Ed and he said: “let’s do the interview” and I said: “let’s do it then”. That’s where it all started actually.
What did you like about Gallant?
It was a couple of things. I think the way they treat customers and it’s important for them to have a good relationship. Even to have good communication with their clients giving them a good product and being transparent in the way they operate. So, it definitely seems like a company that is not just a plumbing company, that has got good values placed for the company itself and that was what attracted me to Gallant Plumbing.
What is life like in Australia?
It’s definitely an interesting period that is taking place. Plumbing is Plumbing but they have a different way of doing things. It’s different living in a big city, Melbourne. It’s far spaced, it’s big. There’s a lot happening so I would say it’s a larger adjustment in certain ways. It seems like an enjoyable one, I don’t think it is a negative adjustment. It is just getting your head around traffic and getting your head around parking in the city but it’s a beautiful city, fantastic to work in actually and it’s a privilege to be part of it. Not many people get the chance to do that. So, it’s all thumbs up for me at the moment.
What is life at like at Gallant Plumbing?
In regards to the interview and what Gallant is all about, there was a perceived idea of what’s important in the company and what’s not. I do so far it’s been spot on. So, there hasn’t been many surprises in regards to how they function and also on what they want. It’s been pretty clear, what they’ve written on paper is pretty justifiable and clear on what we do in the company. It’s been an enjoyable time so far, it’s been a big learning process. Just the way Australians function overall is just the way that Gallant functions. It has been a positive one and it has been really enjoyable.
How is the work different in Australia?
Back home, we don’t do much roofing and the way of doing plumbing differs and there’s a bit of adjustment. There are different techniques we need to adhere too and that we learn. Other than that, it’s actually basically the same.
What was the process like getting into Australia?
My wife and I decided to come here a few years back and then we let the whole process go and somehow, the spark just got rekindled of maybe coming and getting here. Especially, it is sad to say this, with the current political situation back home and for her applying for me and getting that process going and that happened in a really small space of time.
It was a couple of weeks before we got the opportunity to be interviewed and the arrangement was made for us getting a Visa and coming over for two weeks as a trial period. That happened really quick and I was a bit hesitant at first because I had my own company. I was responsible for other families that I need to take care of. All of that all happened within four to five months, finishing up back home and getting things in place, sorting that out and getting here.
What were the costs and steps to get here?
If I am correct, we looked around a hundred and twenty thousand grand, approximately twelve to thirty dollars. That’s just cash-wise but it could be a bit more if we are considering getting our stuff over here or you could just add it. It all depends on you, on what you want to bring out and how much. It all depends on your family and how you plan to do it but the initial set up and getting documents, passports, medicals all those types of things is a fair amount of costs and a lot of time.
Do you have advice for applicants?
Well, I will just say: “just do it!” come over, explore, find out for yourself and live here, work here. It’s the best you can do for your family at this stage, again out of a political view but also experience-wise coming here it will broaden your experience of and knowledge of plumbing in a larger environment where it’s all about team effort and not a one-man band. So, I will definitely suggest that you do it. Get out there and do it.