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November 7, 2008
Alcoa Point Henry recognises future leaders and outstanding apprentices
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Stars of a different kind took centre stage at GPAC this week when a number of Geelong’s up and coming manufacturing stars were recognised at the 2008 Alcoa Apprentice Awards and the Alcoa Future Leaders of Industry presentation night.
The Apprentice Awards acknowledge the 35 apprentices from the two Alcoa businesses operating at Point Henry – the Alcoa of Australia smelter and Alcoa Australia Rolled Products. A number of special awards were presented including the prestigious ‘Trevor Kenwright award’.
The Trevor Kenwright Award is presented to the most outstanding fourth year apprentice and recognises the effort, diligence and consistent performance required of apprentices over the term of apprenticeship. Just prior to the 1997 awards, Alcoa lost a friend and workmate in Trevor Kenwright as the consequence of a tragic accident. Trevor was a strong supporter of activities and training that provided opportunity to young people, allowing them to realise their potential. He also believed it was of equal importance for those involved in such activities and training to give recognition for the dedication and personal application required to realise this potential.
2008 Alcoa Apprentice Award recipients
2008 Trevor Kenwright Award
Justin White – Alcoa of Australia
Justin joined Alcoa in 2005 as an apprentice Boilermaker and completed his apprenticeship in June this year. Earlier this year Justin was recognised at the Gordon Institute of TAFE Regional Training Awards when he won best third year apprentice and was nominated for Apprentice of the Year. Justin now has a permanent position with Alcoa as part of the smelter team.
Most Outstanding First Year Apprentice
Tristan Smith – Alcoa Australia Rolled Products
Most Outstanding Second Year Apprentice
Tony Waghorn – Alcoa of Australia
Most Outstanding Third Year Apprentice
Leigh Perkins – Alcoa Australia Rolled Products
First Year Apprentice Safety Award
Nick Majetic – Alcoa of Australia
Second Year Apprentice Safety Award
Tim Ford – Alcoa of Australia
Third Year Apprentice Safety Award
Rowan Coombs – Alcoa of Australia
Fourth Year Apprentice Safety Award
Amanda Fangmeier – Alcoa Australia Rolled Products
2008 Alcoa Future Leaders of Industry scholarship program
The 25 graduates of the 2008 Alcoa Future Leaders of Industry scholarship program and the program’s 18 supporting companies were also recognised at the Awards night.
The Future Leaders of Industry program is an initiative of Alcoa Point Henry, the Geelong Regional Vocational Education Council (GRVEC), the Geelong Manufacturing Council and the Regional Industry Career Advisor (RICA) which aims to attract year 9 and 10 students to the manufacturing industry. Throughout the year, the 25 scholarship winners from local secondary schools, have participated in a variety of activities including work placement, an industry tour of supporting companies, a “Buddy Day†where participants are paired up with an employee at one of the supporting companies, a communication skills training day and a university/TAFE day.
Participants in the program received safety equipment required for on-the-job training including safety glasses, reflective vest and hard hat and $250 to be held in trust by their school for education purposes at the commencement of the program. At the graduation, students were presented with a certificate.
The 2008 graduates are: Kirsten Sattler and Jake Thomas from Bellarine Secondary College; Mitchell Harris from Flinders Peak Secondary College; Rebecca Sanderson from Geelong High School; Nue Farhana Sanif, Mitch O’Sullivan and Thomas Bourke from Grovedale College; Tom Chapman and Paula Trotter from Lara Secondary College; Shannen McMullan and Madeline Finley from Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College; Ashlee Erben, Kieran Antonio and Melissa Clark from Newcomb Secondary College; Jessica Perry and Dale Clifton from Norlane High School; Anne Maree Dudas from Sacred Heart College; Chris Moder, Justin Savron, Cameron Gugger, Sebastian Bucovaz and Bradley Mangas from St Josephs College; Luke Keys, Jason Kovac and James Plunkett from St Ignatius College.
Along with Alcoa, 17 local companies supported the 2008 program: Geelong Fabrication, AGB Group, GD Manufacturing Engineers, Uptime Services Pty Ltd, Air Radiators, Basell Australia, Kempe International, Lakis Engineering, Cameron & Castanedo Engineering, Reid Engineering, ICD Asia Pacific, Boundary Bend Ltd, Steggles, Incitec Pivot, One Steel, Worley Parsons and Wathaurong Glass and Arts.
Investing in our future leaders of industry
Alcoa of Australia invests over $22 million in training each year and runs a range of youth opportunity and training programs that directly affect more than 20,000 young Australian lives.
Further information:
Kate Betts
Community Relations Officer
Tel: 5245 1406
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