By Belinda Nolan
IT WAS a dream some said would never be realised.
When Ardeer’s Michael Borowik told school guidance councillors of his ambition to become an electrician, he was told he would never make it in the industry.
Mr Borowik was almost three years into computer studies when he realised he had made a mistake in heeding this advice.
“It was something I’d always wanted to do and I think I would have done it eventually. I would have gone crazy if I didn’t,” he said.
Determined to prove the critics wrong, Mr Borowik pursued his new career with an enthusiasm that would not go unnoticed.
So impressed was his employer with his performance, that he nominated the 23-year-old as Apprentice of the Year.
And with such an obvious enjoyment of his chosen trade, there are no prizes for guessing the Ardeer man is set for a rewarding career.
Mr Borowik was named the winner at the National Electrical and Communications Association ceremony in Albert Park earlier this month.
“It was a pretty good feeling,” he said.
“I haven’t won too many awards like this. I never really won any awards in high school, so it made me feel pretty special and happy that all the hard work I’d put in was finally paying off.”
When asked why he thought he’d won the award, the fourth-year apprentice modestly acknowledged the recognition had taken him by surprise.
“It was staggering to me. It still hasn’t sunk in,” Mr Borowik said.
“I’m not sure why I was nominated. I guess it was probably to do with my performance. I’m not a genius, but I’ve never had a complaint from any of my employers. I’m just a reliable person, I guess.”
Mr Borowik said he’d had a tough home life growing up as he struggled with feelings of isolation and depression and living with an alcoholic family member.
“It’s been quite a journey, but I’ve managed to turn it around and things are starting to look up a bit,” he said.
Mr Borowik recently completed renovation work on his family home, a project he’s been working on since 2003.
He said he was due to complete his apprenticeship in February but was unsure what he would do after that.
“I’m keeping my options open. I’ve still got a bit of time to make that decision. I know that whatever I do, I want to keep doing what I love.”
