Central West Group Apprentices & Skillset announces top
Trainee and Apprentice for 2010

Central West Group Apprentices announced the winners of the prestigious Apprentice and Trainee of the Year 2010 at an official luncheon at Turners Vineyard Orange.

Alannah McIntosh of Bathurst was named as Central West Group Apprentices most outstanding Apprentice for 2010, and Lauren Dover from Orange is this year's most outstanding Trainee. The Gordon and Joyce Hawkes Special Achievement awards went to Nathan Gates from Central Design and Engineering Orange and Grace Mostyn from Metroll in Dubbo.

Alannah has completed a Graphic Design Apprenticeship with Central West Group Apprentices and Department of Lands Graphic Services in Bathurst, while Lauren has completed a Business Traineeship with Central West Group Apprentices and Mick Fabar Constructions in Orange

Both Alannah and Lauren were chosen from twelve finalists across the Central West in six regions including Bathurst, Lithgow, Orange, Parkes, Cowra and Dubbo.

Selection was based on excellence in their chosen field, and the development of personal skills such as leadership ability, effective communication, and an ability to work well as member of a team.

According to CWGA's CEO, Ben Bardon, the job of choosing two overall winners was no easy task considering the high calibre of young Trainees and Apprentices in the running for this year's awards.

“Alannah, Lauren, Nathan and Grace are outstanding achievers - they are both highly motivated young adults who have excelled in their chosen field.”

“It’s great to see these Apprentices and Trainees develop their careers through their time with CWGA, and I congratulate them all for their hard work and dedication to training,” said Mr Bardon

Other Awards presented at the luncheon were the large Host-Employer of the year award which went to Thales in Lithgow. The small Host Employer of the year was The Shed Hairdressers in Katoomba. Trevor Dennis of GBR Motors in Orange and Jake Tattersall of Pymonts Service Station in Forbes were the Indigenous Apprentice and Trainee of the Year. Jodie Davis from Canobolas Rural Technology High School was the School-based Trainee of the Year.

In honour of Skillset Safety Officer Jim Todman, who passed away suddenly last October, there was a new award presented in his memory. The Jim Todman Safety Award acknowledges a Host-business which demontrates an outstanding commitment to saftey in the workplace. Orange Precision Metalcraft won the inaugural award which was presented by Jim's wife, Penny Todman supported by her sons Seb, Dylan, Isaac and Eli. 

For 28 years Central West Group Apprentices, and now Skillset, have a tradition of honouring those achievers in vocational education and training. Winner of these awards will now go on to be nominated for State awards.