Mr Wrench is now navigating towards a successful career in the maritime industry after becoming a Marine Rescue NSW Search and Rescue Master, and working part-time in a boat chandlery.

For Mr Wrench, going to TAFE was the first step in making this life-changing career move when he undertook a Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Master up to 24 metres Near Coastal) at TAFE NSW Moruya.

“I used to work in information technology delivery and sales with some big organisations, including Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard,” Mr Wrench said.

“I decided I’d try something completely different, so my wife and I made a sea change.”

There is logic behind his choice of career in the maritime industry.

“I like the idea that I can actually be the skipper on marine rescue vessels, because it’s about saving lives on the water,” he said.

“I worked pretty hard at my studies because I really enjoyed the course.

“It covered a wide range of subjects and gave me broad-based skills, as well as the technical aspects of boats.

“My teacher, Col Tritton, is just amazing.

“I think you’d have to go an awful long way to get his level of experience and practical knowledge.

“There was never a question that Col couldn’t explain or provide practical knowledge for. He made everything very real.”

Mr Wrench was recently named winner of the Transport Industries Student Award and the TAFE NSW Ambassador Maritime Award at the TAFE NSW Illawarra Annual Student Awards.

Mr Tritton, TAFE NSW Teacher of Maritime, Transport and Logistics, first met Mr Wrench through Marine Rescue NSW as an active member.

“Keith is a very calm and intelligent man,” Mr Tritton said.

“I hadn’t struck a student like that before. It’s part of Keith’s mindset to get as many skills as he can to give back to the community.”