The best in the business

Automotive Industry Group South East 2022 Apprentice Awards

There’s no denying it – training and development in the automotive industry in the South East is alive and well and the best of those learning the trade were honoured at this month’s 2022 Automotive Industry Group South East Apprentice Awards. Fourteen winners were honoured at last week’s presentation, selected by a judging panel from a field of nominees put forward by their respective employers, registered training organisations, schools or Australian Apprenticeship Centre.

Facilitated by the Automotive Industry Group, the awards are all about the training and development of automotive trainees and apprentices in the South East. Nominations were received from Mount Gambier, Millicent and Bordertown and those undertaking an Australian School Based Apprenticeship.

Automotive Industry Group South East vice president Andrew Norman was grateful for the industry and sponsor support to allow the awards scheme to continue, including Gold event sponsors Brandt Tractors, Tafe SA and Burson Auto Parts and Silver event sponsors Barry Maney Group, the Tuffnell family, K&S Freighters, Velocity Truck Centre, Mt Gambier Isuzu and Carlin and Gazzard.

“We are dedicated to the advancement of youth in automotive careers and supported by an enthusiastic representation from the automotive Industry and on behalf of the AIG-SE I would like to congratulate all the winners for this year,” Mr Norman said.

“The judging panel stated that applications for 2022 were, for the most part, of a very high standard and they were very happy with the number and spread of applicants across most award categories.

“…it is reassuring from the judging panel’s perspective that the industry is in good hands moving forward based on the calibre of young people applying…” Andrew Norman (AIG-SE vice president)

AWARD WINNERS:
1. Tuffnell Memorial Award winner Amy Nitsche (centre – employed at Cummins South Pacific) with family representatives Sharon Tuffnell & Maxine Tuffnell. (This award is to be by nature an encouragement award and it is to exemplify the spirit and ability shown by Bruce Tuffnell throughout his apprenticeship and working life)
2. Barry Maney OAM Service to Industry Award winner Shane Neale (left – employed at Tatiara Truck and Trailers) with presenter Greg Povey. (Open to any employees in the industry, workshop staff, administration, spare parts, training and education to management positions)
3. Automotive Apprentice of the Year David Ludwig (left – employed at Brabdt Tractors) with presenter Brian Hamlyn (K&S Group)
4. TAFE SA Mount Gambier Campus Most Outstanding Student (Skill Based Centre)Nicholas Bignell (left) with Frank Monger (Rotary Club West)
5. Judges Award winner Jake Fishpool (left – employed at Barry Maney Group) with judge Travis Fatchen
6. Heavy Vehicle First Year Award winner Josh Troeth (left – employed at Tatiara Truck and Trailers) with presenter David Burt
7. Heavy Vehicle Second Year Award winner Mitchell Govan (left – employed at Brandt Tractors) with Mark Telford (Moreland Holdings)
8. Light Vehicle Second Year Award winner Albert Fila (left – emplyed at OG Roberts) with Karina Vanzati (Carlin and Gazzard)
9. Light Vehicle First Year Award winner Mitchell Little (left – employed at Barry Maney Group) with Simon Phillips (OG Roberts)
10.Heavy Vehicle Third Year Award winner Brad Lawson (right – employed at Tatiara Truck and Trailers) with Leanne Cameron (MEGT)
11. Most Improved Award winner Josh Troeth (left – employed at Tatiara Truck and Trailers) with Andrew Norman (AIG-SE vice president representing sponsor Mount Gambier Isuzu)
12. Outstanding Academic Award winner Josh Will (left – employed at Tatiara Truck and Trailers) with Franco Albuino (MTA Field Officer)
13. Outstanding Work Ethic Award winner Connor Grant (left – emplyed at OG Roberts) with Ally Skeer (TAFE SA)
14. School Based Apprentice of the Year Blake Boyer (left – employed at O’Halloran’s Diesel Marine) with Caitlin Castine (representing sponsor Brandt Tractors)

ABSENT AWARD WINNERS:
• TAFE SA Mount Gambier Campus Most Outstanding Student (Industry Placement) – Soe Nay Bell (Sponsored by Cummins South Pacific)
• TAFE SA Mount Gambier Campus Most Outstanding Student (Workshop Based) – Rhys Tucknott (Sponsored by GTE)
• Bordertown High School Most Outstanding Student (Skill Centre Based) Pieter Muller (Sponsored by Tatiara Trucks and Trailers) • Light Vehicle Third Year Award winner Nicholas Copping (Sponsored by Burson Auto Parts)