2014 Winners

Apprentice of the Year

William Ducrou

Diploma in Electronics (Communications)
Trained by TAFE SA
Employed by Codan Ltd

Having completed an aquaculture degree, William says becoming a mature age apprentice has turned his life around and provided a foundation for a new career in electronics. William says his apprenticeship was the perfect combination of passion, learning and income. He wants to be a part of Australia’s future technical innovation and encourages other people looking to change their career to consider an apprenticeship because it provides off the job training and industry experience. The judges said William is a great advocate for his trade and the apprenticeship system.

Trainee of the Year

Jacquelin Gray

Certificate III in Business
Trained by Maxima
Employed by Trainee and Apprentice Placement Services (TAPS)
Host employed by Jordan Plumbing

After moving to Adelaide, Jacquelin began a traineeship, studying a Certificate III in Business, trained by Maxima, and employed by TAPS. She earned an income while gaining valuable work experience in the plumbing industry. Jacquelin is employed in the accounts payable division of host employee Jordan Plumbing. She believes her traineeship has provided her with the foundation to develop her career and is working towards her childhood dream of owning her own business. The judges said Jacquelin impressed the panel with her determination to maximise opportunities from her traineeship.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Student of the Year

Ashley Edwards

Certificate III in Plumbing
Trained by TAFE SA
Employed by A S Carlson & Sons Pty Ltd

Ashley moved away from his family in Adelaide to Whyalla to take up work in the plumbing industry at AS Carlson and Sons. His commitment to training included travelling 400km each way to attend TAFE. Ashley’s skills have provided him with job security and he encourages other young Aboriginal people to follow in his footsteps and take on an apprenticeship. The judges said Ashley was enthusiastic when talking about how his training has increased his confidence and has driven him to be successful.

Vocational Student of the Year

Jack Kay

Certificate II in Engineering
Trained by TAFE SA
Employed by Morgan Dockyards

Jack is undertaking an apprenticeship with Morgan Dockyards through Statewide Group Training Inc, and completed a Certificate III in Multi-Trades Metal Fabrications at TAFE SA Berri campus. He undertakes some units at TAFE SA Regency Park campus. Jack works on ferry maintenance and hopes to go on to help manufacture and contribute ideas to improving the ferry systems in SA. He aspires to start his own business in the future. The judges said Jack was a great example of life-long learning who displayed comprehensive leadership skills.

School-based Apprentice of the Year

Ross Maxwell

Certificate III in Hospitality (Commercial Cookery)
Attends Blackwood High School
Trained by TAFE SA
Employed by Windy Point Restaurant
Host Employed by Jacobs Creek Visitor Centre

Ross, who has loved cooking since he was a child, says becoming a school based apprentice was the best decision he has made. He is in Year 12 at Blackwood High School, studying a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery at TAFE SA and is employed at Windy Point Restaurant and Café. It is a win-win situation because Ross is learning while working and gaining invaluable experience in a professional kitchen. The judges said Ross’ achievements included being involved in the World Challenge experience and learning about struggle, famine and poverty.

VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year

Rosemary Coulter

Employed by South Australian Learning Centre

Rosemary has been a trainer in health sector registered training organisations over the past eight years. She has delivered qualifications in disability, aged care and home and community care. She also delivers first aid training and has previously delivered medical terminology training. She is committed to the aged and disability care sectors and her innovative training has resulted in positive training and employment outcomes for a diverse range of students. The judges said Rosemary is a dynamic trainer in both classroom and care-based practice, in identified skills shortage areas.

Industry Collaboration Award

AgriFood Skills Australia National Regional Initiative – Eyre Peninsula

South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula was chosen as one of four regions in Australia to participate in AgriFood’s National Regional Initiative. The collaboration between AgriFood Skills Australia, the State Government and Regional Development Australia (Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula) developed innovative strategies to improve workforce retention and regional productivity to meet the region’s future workforce and skills needs. Key to the initiative’s success was the collaborative and cross-industry approach that enabled the region’s industry, government, training organisations and service providers to work together and develop regionally targeted solutions.

Small Training Provider of the Year

Hospitality Group Training Inc

Hospitality Group Training (HGT) offers programs specifically tailored to the demands and priorities of the hospitality industry. It has a focus on providing sustainable employment so the individual and the industry both benefit. HGT runs a fully operational industry developed training facility with two commercial kitchens in the Adelaide CBD and is the sole provider of hospitality training for Adelaide Oval. Another key achievement is tripling the retention rate of apprentice chefs, a traditional challenge for the industry, with an overall completion rate of 86 per cent.

Large Training Provider of the Year

Quality Training and Hospitality College

Quality Training and Hospitality College is one of Australia’s largest nationally accredited private training companies, delivering training to domestic and overseas students. The college has close relationships with Quality Catering at the Adelaide Zoo and the South Australian Jockey Club, where students undertake training in a genuine industry environment. Service excellence is a key focus and the college has had glowing industry feedback on its quality customer service initiative. Trainers are all industry professionals and the college’s focus is on employment outcomes to benefit learners, employers and industry.

Employer of the Year

Adelaide Casino

Adelaide Casino is one of the State’s largest employers with 1200 staff collectively working 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Its diverse service offering is reflected in its six training programs: from a certificate in hospitality to an apprenticeship in electronics and communications. Employee engagement survey results show a three per cent increase in satisfaction over the past two years. The judges were impressed with the casino’s commitment and innovative approach to training and the length of employee tenure which averages more than six years of service.

Small Employer of the Year

Tatiara Truck & Trailers Pty Ltd

Tatiara Truck and Trailers is a family-owned business employing 57 people, 21 of whom are employed under a traineeship or apprenticeship. The company has a strong community and training culture and is working with four training providers to deliver a wide range of qualifications, spanning technical and management skills. In 2007 the owners built an on-site training room to ensure regional trainees were not disadvantaged. The judging panel was impressed with the owner’s commitment to social justice, regional South Australia and the philosophy that investing in people will boost business success.