Minister for Regional Development, Skills and Small Business John Barilaro, was special guest at HVTC’s Excellence Awards presentation in Newcastle on Friday, 15 April 2016.
HVTC’s Excellence Awards showcase the exceptional achievements of its apprentices, trainees and host businesses. Award winners are selected from finalists nominated from across the company’s ten regional offices.
Novocastrian Electrical was awarded the Small Host Employer of the Year Award. The company has been working with HVTC for five years providing host employment opportunities for apprentices and trainees. The company’s internal training programs complement HVTC’s targeted skills training and comprehensive on the job experience has equipped apprentices and trainees with valuable skills and qualifications that have provided strong foundations for rewarding careers.
“This award is great recognition for the terrific partnership that exists between Novocastrian Electrical and HVTC. It means we’re moving in the right direction in relation to what we believe is the right balance of training and work experience for our apprentices,” Manager Novocastrian Electrical, Graeme Dunn, said.
Twenty-three year old Phillip Hyde from Mount Hutton took out the prestigious 2016 HVTC Apprentice of the Year Award. With a strong interest in pursuing a career in engineering, Phillip recently completed a Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade and an Advanced Diploma in Engineering (Mechanical) whilst completing his apprenticeship with host employer Centennial Coal at its Mandalong Mine.
“This award is a great honour and recognition that all the hard work I’ve put in over the last four years has been worthwhile. It’s great motivation for the future and will keep me striving for more responsibility in my position as I develop my career in engineering,” Phillip said.
HVTC Field Officer, Karen Eveleigh, said Phillip’s award was well deserved.
“Phillip has been an outstanding apprentice and a positive ambassador for the apprenticeship program, HVTC and Centennial Coal. He has accepted every opportunity made available to him and has strived to achieve excellence in everything he has undertaken,” said
“Phillip has a bright future ahead of him and it has been very rewarding to be part of his journey as his Field Officer.”
Twenty-two year old Anthony Mudd from East Maitland, who undertook a Certificate III in Electrotechnology – Electrician, was named 2016 Regional Training Organisation (RTO) Student of the Year. Nineteen-year-old Shelby Medhurst from Denman, who is completing a Certificate III in Mobile Plant Technology, took out the 2016 RTO Rising Star Award. Both Anthony and Shelby are employed with Glencore.
“It’s a real honour to have received this award. It recognises all the effort I’ve put into my apprenticeship and the acknowledgement is very much appreciated,” Anthony said.
“This award makes me very proud of what I’ve achieved with HVTC and my apprenticeship. It’s been a real boost to my confidence. I have a few more years of my apprenticeship ahead of me and I’m looking forward to being able to continue my studies with my employer and making the most of opportunities as they come along,” Shelby said.
Nineteen-year-old Samuel Davies from Maryland took out the 2016 RTO Encouragement Award. Samuel has also undertaken a Certificate III in Electrotechnology – Electrician with employer Origin Energy.
“It was fantastic to receive this award. It’s given me a great platform to pursue my career and will definitely be helpful as opportunities become available with my electrical trade,” Samuel said.
HVTC CEO Sharon Smith says vocational education pathways can lead to career success for many young people.
“These awards not only celebrate the great results of our apprentices and trainees but they also reflect the significant role our business and industry partners play in making sure our young people secure quality employment outcomes,” Sharon said.
Sharon also thanked the judging panel, Byron Dodd (Training Services NSW), Jason Foster (VERTO) and Jason Sultana (GTA NSW and ACT).
“Our judges’ expertise and understanding of our business, and our goals and objectives for our apprentices, trainees and host businesses, has been reflected in the outstanding calibre of this year’s award recipients.”
Image | Steve Attard, HVTC Trainer with 2016 RTO award winners, Shelby Medhurst, Anthony Mudd and Samuel Davies.
