Carpentry student wins Rotary Club of Warrnambool East Apprentice Award
The award, which is given to a first-year apprentice from South West TAFE, was presented to Alexander at Rotary’s annual dinner on Thursday, December 1.
He was one of seven students to be nominated by their teachers for excellence in their trades and it was his passion and commitment to his studies and work that made him stand out as the winner.
Alexander works for James Taylor Building in Port Fairy and is looking forward to where his career in the carpentry industry can take him.
Runners-up awards went to horticulture apprentice Courtney Lake employed by Westvic Staffing Solutions and Warrnambool City Council, and engineering mechanical trade apprentice Lestarianta Limbong from Vestas Australia Wind Technology.
Encouragement awards were presented to cabinet making apprentice Christopher Thorne, electrical apprentice Mitchell Strain, plumbing apprentice William Darwin, and engineering fabrication trade apprentice Joaquin Wood.
To select a winner, the seven students were interviewed by the Rotary club.
The award was judged on how students were progressing in their course, their willingness to learn, how they positively represented their trade and how they could be encouraged to continue their studies.
The judging panel was impressed by all students and their focus on creating successful careers for themselves.
Rotary’s Youth and Vocation director Wendy Mitchem said all the candidates showed incredible enthusiasm in their trades and had bright futures ahead of them.
She said it was wonderful to see the apprentices from all different backgrounds, all succeeding in their chosen fields.
The Rotary Club of Warrnambool East has offered this award for many years and continues to provide ongoing support to training apprentices in the region.
South West TAFE CEO Mark Fidge said the organisation was grateful for the partnership with Rotary in supporting apprentices.
“It’s great to have the ongoing support of the Rotary Club of Warrnambool East and the encouragement this award gives to our first-year apprentices is invaluable,” he said.
