My Gateway’s annual apprentice and trainee awards are a celebration of the achievements of talented and hard working apprentices and trainees from Macarthur and across Sydney.
But they are much more than that.
The awards also serve as a promotional and awareness vehicle for the great career opportunities available via the vocational education and training system.
On top of that, they also highlight the vital role played by businesses that take on trainees and apprentices.
Speaking after the presentation of the 2019 awards last Friday at Ottimo House, My Gateway CEO, Shelley Bullock, said:
“The awards celebrated the efforts and hard work of our apprentices, trainees and host businesses in 2019.
“Their success and achievements highlight the satisfying careers that begin with apprenticeships and traineeships,” Ms Bullock said.
Camden Council business administration certificate three trainee Mikayla Gauci, 19, pictured above, was named certificate three trainee of the year as well as overall trainee of the year.
Icon carpentry apprentice Josiah Odonga took out the third year apprentice of the year award as well as overall apprentice of the year title.
“The thing I most enjoyed this year was working with a team of highly skilled people working together to finish the project on time,’’ said the 23 year old, pictured below.
Josiah, who achieved outstanding TAFE results throughout his apprenticeship, has also won the respect of his colleagues at Icon.
“Working in human resources, I’ve found it really interesting to see how a business runs and how it affects others,” says Mikayla Gauci, who hails from Orangeville, near Camden.
“Finishing school last year and jumping straight into the workplace has been fast paced and exciting.
“Some of the main things I’ve learnt are the functions of payroll, training and recruitment and work health and safety,” she said.
Mikayla was one of two winners hosted at Camden Council, the other being Ashlea Heine, who took out the inaugural female apprentice of the year category.
“At Camden Council, we take pride in training and guiding our apprentices and trainees towards their work and personal goals,’’ says Mayor Theresa Fedeli.
“I am incredibly proud of all our trainees and apprentices for their hard work and dedication each day.
“Congratulations to our two winners for representing themselves and council so impressively – it’s only upwards from here,’’ Cr Fedeli said.
WINNERS: MY GATEWAY 2019 APPRENTICE AND TRAINEE AWARDS
Certificate III Trainee of the Year: Mikayla Gauci Camden Council
Certificate IV Trainee of the Year: Lily Tyquin – Wollondilly Shire Council
1st Year Apprentice of the Year: Joshua Rumble – Decouper Onsite
2nd Year Apprentice of the Year: Matilda Baard – LaserBond
3rd Year Apprentice of the Year: Josiah Odonga – ICON Co.
4th Year Apprentice of the Year: Matthew Micallef – CJD Equipment
Adult Apprentice of the Year: Michael Craig – NorthConnex
Female Apprentice of the Year: Ashlea Heine – Camden Council
Indigenous Apprentice/Trainee of the Year: Jake Beetson – Lendlease
Overall Trainee of the Year: Mikayla Gauci – Camden Council
Overall Apprentice of the Year: Josiah Odonga – ICON Co.
