LIMESTONE Coast apprentices and trainees have been recognised at the Group Training Employment’s (GTE) annual Apprentice and Trainee of the Year Awards.
This year’s event recognised the outstanding efforts of apprentices and trainees employed by GTE during 2024 with the introduction of the Women in Trades Award.
The new award recognised the efforts of a selected female apprentice excelling in a non-traditional trade.
About 80 people attended the awards including host employers, apprentices, trainees and their families from across the region.
Long time GTE board member Barry Stafford said employers still played a vital role in the lives of young people.
“Completing a qualification is an invaluable tool for life and provides a great opportunity to become the next generation of employers and community leaders,” Mr Stafford said.
“Everyone here tonight has played a role in helping our award winners achieve that success and it is about coming together as a team and building our community.”
GTE general manager Greg Megaw joined Regional Development Association Limestone Coast board secretary Erika Vickery in presenting O’Brien Electrical and Brody’s Bricks with the Host Employer of the Year Award.
“Here at GTE we place a high value on the relationships we share with our host employers and in cooperation with Regional Development Australia Limestone Coast we are proud to recognise the efforts of our host employers,” Mr Megaw said.
Winners on the night included:
First Year Apprentice of the Year – Craig Baker from host employer Barry Maney Group.
Second Year Apprentice of The Year – Lochlan Thiele from host employer Stuckey Electrical
Contractors.
Third Year Apprentice of The Year – Hser Ku from host employer Carlin and Gazzard.
Fourth-Year Apprentice of The Year – Melissa Tilley from host employer Andy’s Bakery.
Building Trades Apprentice of The Year – Josh Weedon from host employer Trent Milich.
Trainee of The Year – Joint Winners, including Taylor Freeman from host employer Bendigo
Bank and Sarah Taylor from host employer Tenison Woods College.
Ian Giles Memorial Award – Aaron Zerk from host employer Sam McPherson Constructions.
Engineering Excellence Award – Lachlan Leake from host employer DairyTechSE.
Women in Trades Award – Ashleigh Elsworthy from host employer Wattle Range Council.
Employer of the Year Award – Joint winners – O’Brien Electrical and Brody’s Bricks.
