Cairns Shangri-La Hotel GM Nic O’Donnell’s secret life as a tradie

THE general manager of Cairns’ Shangri-La Hotel is also pretty handy at whipping up a table or a set of shelves.

Nic O'Donnell, General Manager of Shangri-La Hotel, started his working life as a carpenter. PICTURE: MARC McCORMACK

THE general manager of Cairns’ Shangri-La Hotel is also pretty handy at whipping up a table or a set of shelves.

Nic O’Donnell started work at 16 as an apprentice carpenter, a job he stuck with for seven years.

“I got the job through the traditional methods of applying in writing, and then going through interviews and talking about school results, which wasn’t enjoyable,” he said.

“Back then it was all about being told what to do and learning about building.”

Mr O’Donnell’s story is part of a campaign aiming to find work for the region’s jobless.

He said carpentry provided him with a lifelong skill he still used to this day.

“My strongest memories were the injuries – black nails from hitting them with the hammer, splinters – and plenty of them.

“On the positive side, you actually got to see a project from commencement right through to completion, which was very rewarding.”

Mr O’Donnell said trades offered an excellent career.

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