Time management vital

XAVIER Loipio says anyone can find success and his began at Don Bosco Technical School in Port Moresby.
“I dropped out of high school, I lived the life of a drug addict for three years and had an attitude problem,” Loipio admitted.
“Then to make ends meet I resorted to selling betel nuts. As the days rolled on, I often wondered, what will I do with my life?’’
Loipio said it was at Don Bosco Technical School where he was taught punctuality, counselling and time management.
Now at 33 he is a devout Catholic and still single. He comes from mixed parentage – Autonomous Region of Bougainville and Gulf.
“I graduated from Don Bosco Technical School, Gabutu in 2009, in maintenance fitting and machining.
“I started my career as a marine fitter at PNG Dockyard Ltd. I have completed 10 years of work in the industry.
“Of course, I faced several challenges and managed to conquer these and continued my endeavour.
“Being in the industry, for this period of time does not guarantee that I know everything. I am still learning and continuously upgrading myself.
“Don Bosco was the light at the end of my tunnel to become an outstanding citizen, a success and professional skills person and a role model in my community.
“With the skills acquired at Don Bosco I went on to obtain my tradesman’s certificate in my trade at Port Moresby Technical College, Certificate III in machine fitting in mechanical trade at the Australian Pacific Technical Coalition (APTC) and an advanced diploma – I.V.Q Level 3 in oil and gas maintenance at Kumul Petroleum Academy, South Pacific Employment Institution.
“One of my greatest accomplishments was being the president of Australia Pacific Technical Coalition Alumni PNG in 2017-18.
“During my time with APTC, I met educated professionals in the TVET sector, education sector and very important people at APTC like Helen Leeson, chief academic officer, Dr Brad Shaw, country director-PNG Campus and David Pepyet, former SVTA for engineering,” he said.
“These are the people who have inspired me to become someone in life. I am grateful to all of them.
“I am also one of the pioneers of Kumul Petroleum Academy/South Pacific Employment Institution as well as 4th batch of the ExxonMobil training programme.
“I am presently working as a mechanical technician team leader with Comlek Electrical Engineering Ltd, an Australian-based company.”
Loipio said maintenance, fitting and machining is a rapidly evolving field.
“One of the most exciting aspects of MFM trade is how it overlaps so many industries. This means you can find work in any industry you like – the possibilities are endless.
“One of my biggest challenges is adjusting to the new workflow and creating a new type of report to present to my supervisor.
“Looking back, the two most important things that I have learnt from Don Bosco is time management and punctuality.
“I would always arrive five or 10 minutes before the start of school and was never absent from school.
“These two important values that opened my way.
“Two skills that I value the most are trade drawing and the ability to read technical drawings.
Because of these skills, I am always one step ahead of others. If you know how to read or interpret a drawing, your work will be easy.
“I want to express my gratitude to Don Bosco and my instructors for teaching me these skills.
“Two people who played a major part in my life are Martin Dai and George Isoaimo.
“These two people have been there every step of my way till the day I graduated,” he said.
“They disciplined me and encouraged me to be the best in life. I did make mistakes but I learnt from those mistakes. By learning from those mistakes, I was able to progress in life.”
Loipio’s message to Bosconians is; “Learn as much as you can because everything in this really technical world is right where you are studying now.
“Your dreams and goals in life are achieved through hard work.
“Trust in God and never give up the hope of heaven.
“This hope provides me an anchor that keeps me grounded and firm in truth and in my pursuit for holiness.”