“I still think like an apprentice” – PTSG CEO Greg Ward on why curiosity never stops
We sat down with PTSG CEO Greg Ward to talk about his journey from apprentice to leading a 3,000-strong organisation – and why he still leads with the same mindset he started with.
Greg, you started your career as an apprentice. What did that teach you that you still carry today?
Everything, really. As an apprentice, you’re there to learn, to watch, to ask questions. You’re hands-on, you’re curious, and you’ve got respect for the people around you because they know more than you do. That hasn’t changed for me. I’m still learning from people every day – technicians, managers, cleaners, whoever’s in front of me. Life is one big learning curve, and if you stop being curious, you stop growing.
How does that apprentice mindset show up in how you run PTSG?
I don’t sit in an office and make decisions from a distance. I’m out there, talking to people, listening, learning what’s really happening. The frontline has the best ideas – they see the reality of our work every day. If I’m not connected to that, I’m not doing my job properly.
And I expect the same from everyone here. Stay curious, whatever your job title. Ask questions. Learn from the people around you. Don’t assume you’ve got it all figured out.
What would you say to someone considering an apprenticeship today?
Do it. You’ll learn more in your first year than you ever could in a classroom. You’re earning, you’re gaining real skills, and you’re building relationships with people who want to see you succeed.
But here’s the thing – being an apprentice isn’t just about your first role. It’s a mentality. The best people I work with, no matter how senior they are, still have that apprentice energy. They’re hungry to learn, they work hard, and they treat everyone with respect.
You talk a lot about hard work creating your own luck. What do you mean by that?
Luck has nothing to do with it. Hard work creates your own luck. Nothing falls into your lap – even to win the lottery, you need to buy the ticket. Show up, do the work, go beyond what’s expected. Don’t wait for opportunities – create them.
People who succeed aren’t the luckiest. They’re the ones who turn up, put the effort in, and keep going when things get tough. That’s what I did as an apprentice, and it’s what I expect from everyone at PTSG.
What advice would you give to your younger self, just starting out?
Keep doing what you’re doing. Stay curious. Treat everyone with respect – the cleaner and the shareholder the same. Make decisions as if the business were your own. And remember, it’s not about how many times you get knocked down – it’s how many times you get back up.
Oh, and have fun. You’re at work a long time. Bring energy, bring positivity, and enjoy what you do.
Want to work somewhere led by an apprentice mindset? We’re hiring across all divisions.
