THE bright futures ahead for 23 young apprentices were celebrated at the 2016 Hunter TAFE Mining Skills Centre final presentation evening at the Muswellbrook RSL Club on Thursday night.
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More than 100 guests from the region’s business, education and industry communities attended the event to celebrate the success of the graduates, in the program’s 11th year of delivery.
The Mining Skills program is offered at the Muswellbrook campus in a purpose-built facility and covers training in basic hand tool skills across four different trades including Electrical, Fitting and Machining, Metal Fabrication and Welding, and Automotive.
It is widely recognised for its focus on safety and is designed to prepare job-ready graduates for when they start work on-site as a first year apprentice.
In 2016, the program welcomed new group training organisation Novaskill and employer Port Waratah Coal Services and received strong enrolment numbers, which were up 18 per cent on the previous year.
Zach Allbon was recognised with the Highest Achiever Award on the evening for his dedication to work and study achieving the highest overall grade throughout the program.
Corey McNee and Ryan Porter were both presented Outstanding Student awards for their application to their studies.
Hunter TAFE Deputy CEO Marie Larkings said the Mining Skills Centre was a wonderful example of how strong collaboration with council, industry and the wider community could deliver great employment and education outcomes for the Upper Hunter.
“At Hunter TAFE we are passionate about developing the skills and capabilities of our local workforce and understand the impact this has on shaping the future of the region,” she said.
“This graduation is an important milestone for our talented Mining Skills Centre apprentices as they embark on the next steps of their bright futures in the region’s mining industry.”
The inaugural MEMMES Scholarship was also presented on the evening to Alexander Duggan and Gareth Godde, both are Certificate III in Electrotechnology apprentices.
The scholarship was established by the Mining Electrical and Mining Mechanical Engineering Society (MEMMES) and provides financial assistance to past Mining Skills Program graduates that are pursuing post-trade qualifications in order to advance their careers in the industry.
“The foundation is delighted that donors have recognised the vision of the foundation and have chosen to support education in the Hunter region,” Hunter TAFE Foundation Board director John Fitzgerald said.
