Teen, 17, graduates as operator

By JESSICA TANDA
PATRICK Bogar from Milne Bay’s Alotau, and Central’s Gabadi, recently graduated with a certificate in excavator operator to fulfil his father’s wish and take up his position.
The 17-year-old is the third born in a family of four and is working at Hebou Construction as an excavator operator.
“I am content with the paper that I have, I want to enjoy my work, play with different models of machinery and buy nice things with my money,” Patrick said.
Patrick was the youngest graduate to receive his excavator operator certificate from Mapex Training Institute during the first batch graduation last Wednesday in Port Moresby campus.
The teenager was already working with Hebou when he went to receive his class seven licence and his certificate.
Both of his older siblings are studying diploma courses at the same institute but he made a promise to his father that after high school, he would definitely fulfil his father’s dream by pursuing a certificate in machine operator.
Patrick’s father, Tom Bogar is a senior machine operator with Hebou Construction, wanted one of his children to follow in his footsteps and be a machine operator.
Patrick believes that his older brother, Daren, and his sister, Amy, have failed to fulfil their father’s wish so he made it his priority.
Patrick confirms that he is multi skilled and can operate seven different machines like the excavator, bulldozer, roller, grader, loader and tipper and big trucks.
“I am still struggling to maneuver grader machines, as it is tricky and a bit hard for me because the buttons differ in different models.”
The 17-year-old said he made fun of when they went for practical trainings.
“My course mates laughed and teased me asking how a baby would operate big machines but I beat the odds.”
“All my course mates thought I would fail and they talked among themselves, but I humbled myself, in the end, my hard work paid off.”
He is happy that after completing his Year 10, Mapex Training Institute gave him the chance to further his skills and knowledge in machine operating.
“Today, those who graduated with technical skills find is really easy to find jobs than those who attend universities and graduate.
“Today, it is who you know with your blue collar certificate that can get you a high-paying job in the city,” he said.
Patrick happily told The National that it is not what you want others to see in you, but your humble heart that will bring more blessings in your life.