Navigating Career Change: Tom Miller’s Journey from Culinary Arts to Marine Mechanics and Business Ownership

Jeff Richards: We're speaking with Tom Miller from Johnson Brothers Enterprise Marine. Tom, could you share your story with us? We'd love to hear about your journey, how you got started in the automotive and marine industries and the key moments that shaped your career?

Tom Miller: When Covid started, I was about 26 years of age, and decided I might have a bit of a career change. I ended up working a couple of days a week at Johnson Brothers Enterprise Marine, it was just Enterprise Marine back then. After deciding to change career, I absolutely loved it. I really enjoyed what I was doing. Not long after I started to work there, I decided to take on an apprenticeship. Chris, the previous owner of Enterprise Marine ended up stepping away from the business and Johnson Brothers bought it, hence the name Johnson Brothers Enterprise Marine. I then slowly continued my apprenticeship with the new owners, and worked my way through the apprenticeship. I kept pushing myself every day, trying to better myself, grow, and learn new areas, not just focusing on what's going on in front of me, but what's going on around me. Five years later, I bought into the business. I am now running the business alongside Ben, and it's all running nice and smooth.

Jeff Richards: How did you feel receiving the Outstanding Achievement Award at the TAFE Awards Night?

Tom Miller: I was very grateful. It proves when you put in the hard work you get rewarded and acknowledged for it.

Jeff Richards: Before you got involved in the Marine industry, what sort of work were you involved in?

Tom Miller: My first job was actually in Enterprise Marines, sweeping the floors when I was about 10 years old. I ended up doing a full 360 to where I started, but it was always between the food industry and the boating industry. I first chose the food industry mainly because my family had been in the restaurant business their whole life, so I ended up working in fine dining, and did that for about eight years, running kitchens as a head chef, but decided, just for personal reasons and as wanted to grow my family I required more to as the pay side of being a chef was definitely not the best. I decided to move forward and see what else there was out there. I could always fall back on my old trade, and that's what kind of moved me in a direction of a career change. When Covid hit, I realized that I have a little bit of an opportunity to broaden my horizons so I tried  Marine Mechanics, Joinery along with being a Chef. I ended up choosing Marine Mechanics, which was the best choice I could of made.

Jeff Richards: Due to your age at the time of starting Marine Mechanics were you mature-aged apprentice?

Tom Miller: Yes. I was mature-aged. I was scared about the classic stereotypes of the apprenticeship being that it's terrible money at the age, you get picked on and I just didn’t really know what I was in for. But it was none of those things, ever. It was good money and enough to live comfortably. Everyone was really nice and patient with me. I think just being a mature age apprentice, people give you that little bit more time and they realize you've got past your crazy stages in life.

Jeff Richards: Is there anything else you'd like to add or advice to anyone thinking of changing careers?

Tom Miller: Yes. You're never too old to jump into a trade. Meaning you don't have to be under 20 years of age or younger to do it anymore. It's never too late. You can always give it a go. It's worth trying, because you'd rather be happy at your work than, sitting there hating your job and just doing it for the money.

Jeff Richards: Thank you for your insight, Tom, what you have achieved in your current working life is commendable. I am sure your story and what you have achieve will inspire others to look at their situation in a more positive way and that when you set your mind to it, anything can be achieved. It is a wonderful mentoring story. 

IAME President Jeff Richards presented Thomas the IAME Award at the Class of 2023 Graduation Ceremony held at the 2024 Sydney International Boat Show.

Along with the Award he received Complimentary IAME Membership, a Digital Vernier and Socket Set to specially remove broken studs.

A special thanks to TAFE NSW and the Boating Industry Association for providing IAME the opportunity to be involved and support the industry.