Australia: Austal Holds ‘Apprentice of the Year’ Awards Ceremony

Austal has recognised the skills and dedications of its apprentices at its annual Apprentice of the Year ceremony with Richard Taylor of Silver Sands announced as the Austal 2011 Apprentice of the Year.

The Apprentice of the Year Awards allows Austal to recognise those Apprentices who have excelled in their department. The company, based in Henderson, offers apprenticeships and traineeships in fabrication, electrical, fitout, engineering and welding, which, upon successful completion, results in a nationally recognised Certificate II or III level qualification.

Apprentices are nominated by a supervisor in their department for outstanding achievement during the year and are assessed on a range of attributes. Richard Taylor, who works in the Aluminium Fabrication Department, was a deserving 4th Year Apprentice and overall winner.

“Richard was a mature age apprentice when he started at Austal four years ago. Within a short amount of time he showed us that he had a passion and flair for boat building,” said Richard’s supervisor, Jack Van Duyn. “His attention to quality and his ability to achieve results within the team have been very good. He is also someone who helps build team morale with his cheerful nature.”

The First Year Apprentice of the Year was awarded to Josh Stone of the Aluminium Fabrication Department, recognising, according to Josh’s supervisor Jack Van Duyn, his workmanship, ability to understand what is required and his positive attitude. The Second Year Apprentice of the Year was awarded to Scott Backman of the Aluminium Fabrication Department.

“Scott’s workmanship and attention to quality in this area of fabrication means we have got a well-grounded apprentice who knows what he wants out of life and is willing to give everything he can to be successful,” his supervisor Richard Carley said.

The ‘Trades Assistant to Apprentice’ Apprentice of the Year was awarded to Daniel Hicks of the Aluminium Fabrication Department.

“Daniel provides an outstanding contribution to his team and gives 110% to achieve all team goals. His willingness to help everyone around him, whether it is his team or anyone else at Austal, is exceptional. Daniel will be a future leader at Austal and recognition through nominations for Apprentice of the Year will be well deserved,” said Daniel’s supervisor Brian Weaver.

Austal Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Bellamy said he was delighted to present the Austal Apprentice of the Year Awards.

“I would like to congratulate Richard and all of the Apprentices who were nominated for Apprentice of the Year 2011,” said Mr Bellamy. “Austal has an award winning history in training and is committed to ongoing employee training. We are extremely proud of our Apprentices and these annual awards allow us to acknowledge their achievements.”

Austal’s workforce currently includes 49 apprentices. The company’s Henderson operations are currently engaged in the construction of a passenger ferry for New Caledonia, accommodation units for the resources sector and various ship maintenance and repair activities. The construction of the first of eight Cape Class Patrol Boats for the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service will commence in the New Year. This contract provides shipbuilding work through to August 2015, with a period of in-service support work to continue for at least another four years beyond that.

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Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, December 22, 2011; Image: austal