Apprentice of the Year Endorses 09 Trades Graduation

Now in it's sixth year the annual Coastal Otago Trades Graduation has become a permanent fixture on the city's event calendar. However, in the past not all those who've been eligible to graduate have registered James Waites, last year's winner of the Apprentice of the Year Award says that's regrettable.

"It's a great way to finish off your apprenticeship, it makes it feel official. You've worked hard and this is recognition for your achievement and something that your family can share in as well. It's well worth it. I would encourage all apprentices to take part."

The Apprentice of the Year Award is a feature of the graduation ceremony. A glazier, a print maker and an electrician have been the last three year's winners of the award. Nominations for this year close on 4 September.

James Waites's manager from Aburns Glass, John Lister, says that James's win last year brought a lot of recognition to his company. "We received a lot of positive comments on James's success and his trophy is still proudly displayed at work. I think it's great for the self-esteem of apprentices and it lifts the profile of industry training. It's well worth supporting."

In just over twelve weeks, on 6 November, up to eight of the region's outstanding apprentice/industry trainees will take the stage in the Town Hall as finalists in this prestigious annual award.

It was the Mayoral Taskforce in 2003 that introduced the concept of publicly recognising the achievement of industry-based qualifications. Dunedin Mayor, Peter Chin, remains 100 per cent behind the ceremonial event.

He says, "The Trades Graduation is a fantastic celebration of success. Our employers recognise the value of promoting the trades as viable and successful career paths. The ongoing benefits for the community are immeasurable particularly in ensuring that we have an appropriately skilled workforce that can contribute to economic development."

The graduation is for all industry apprentices/ trainees in the Waitaki District, Dunedin City or Clutha District, who will have qualified with their National Certificate Level 3 and above) between 1 September 2008 and 31 August 2009. Industry training covers not only the traditional trades like carpentry, plumbing, and automotive engineering but also areas such as hospitality and tourism, primary industries, manufacturing, retail and government /community sectors.

Winners for the past three years of the Apprentice/Industry Trainee of the Year Award were 2006 - Douglas Cane (Electrical Training Company), 2007 - Baydon Harris (John Colours Ltd) and 2008 - James Waites (Aburns Glass).

Nominations for 2009 will close on Friday 4 September.

Industry Trainee nomination form (PDF, 55kb, open in new window)

Contact details

Contact DCC on 477 4000.

Last reviewed: 18 Aug 2009 9:05am