Apprentice & trainee excellence rewarded Group

Training Employment honours the best in the business in 2022

Group Training Employment (GTE) held its annual Apprentice and Trainee of the Year Awards presentation at the Mount Gambier Bowls Club last week.

The awards recognise the outstanding efforts of apprentices and trainees employed by GTE last year. GTE general manager and emcee Greg Megaw welcomed the crowd of more than 80 guests before handing over to GTE Board chair Ray Herbert.

Mr Herbert congratulated all in attendance for the role they play in helping the award winners in achieving the success that we were gathered that night to celebrate.

“Without obstacles and changing circumstances we lack challenge, and the last 12 months had seen its fair share of both, but all involved had met the challenge and succeeded,” Mr Herbert said. “The award winners, their families, their host employers, the GTE Board and staff, all having different roles and coming together as a team, building our community. Completing a qualification is an invaluable tool for life and provides a great opportunity to become the next generation of employers and community leaders.”

Ben Hood MLC attended the event, taking the opportunity to speak about his experience as an apprentice himself and the vital role employers play in providing opportunities in our region for people to undertake an apprenticeship or traineeship. The service that GTE provides to apprentices, trainees and their host employers, supporting them through the process and giving everyone the best chance for success in building skills and gaining a qualification that will set them up for life.

Construction Industry Training Board director workforce, skills and training Toni Hartley was also invited to speak and reiterated the importance of training young workers in their chosen industry. She highlighted that the CITB’s dedication to vocational programs in schools continues to expand, including students from Year 7 to Year 12.

She spoke about the strong role Group Training Employment has in running these programs across the Limestone Coast and employing Apprentices in the South Australian construction industry, considering GTE to be demonstrating best practice and leading the way while also recognising the loyalty and support shown to GTE by their host Eemployers and the strong relationships between all parties.

This year’s awards presentation also saw the introduction of the Host Employer of the Year Award. GTE highly values the relationships it shares with its host employers and in co-operation with Regional Development Australia – Limestone Coast are proud to offer the award to recognise the efforts of host employers, with RDA Limestone Coast Board member Lew Parsons presenting.