FAMILY and community are everything.

Going it alone is never ideal. We all need support at some time or other in our lives, and that's definitely the case for young GoldenWest apprentice fabrication engineer Ayrton Friedrichs.

Mr Friedrichs has had his fair share of hardships to deal with over his rather short lifetime, but this resilient, stead-fast young man has always had support from his family and the local Warwick community to keep him focussed on career and personal goals.

Mr Friedrichs plays rugby for the Warwick Cowboys and a recent ACL injury will see him off the footy field, and subsequently off work, for at least six months.

He is completing his apprenticeship and hosted with local business CSM Transport Equipment Warwick.

"Our host employers are fantastic," said GoldenWest Apprenticeships area training and employment co-ordinator, Jeanette Beattie.

"Running a business isn't easy in the current economic environment, and for a business to commit to holding Ayrton's job open until he is ready to return to work is fantastic," she said. "It's a testament to Ayrton that he is obviously valued at his workplace and we all want to see him complete and get his qualification," she said.

CSM has recently been announced as a finalist in the 2014 Queensland Training Awards in the Small Business Employer of the Year category, and it's no wonder.

Investing in training for our youth and also mature-age job seekers who are looking to upskill is vital to any community's survival.