Apprenticeships and traineeships are vital to any community. They provide opportunities for our young people to gain sustainable employment skills in areas, such as building and construction, electrical, engineering, automotive, hairdressing, cooking and baking, printing and graphic arts and many other industry sectors.

By providing apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities, local businesses not only ensure their own survival into the future, but help our community keep some of its best talent at home.

The Riverland and Mallee has somewhere in the vicinity of 380 apprentices and trainees currently in training. This includes apprentices in traditional trades as well as those undertaking traineeships in horticulture, agriculture, retail, clerical, health care, child care, transport, hospitality, information technology, management, wine production, fitness, food processing, animal care, beauty and real estate.

In recent years, generous financial support from both Federal and State Governments, has enabled local businesses to up skill and train many of their long term employees. This has provided opportunities for all Australians to not only achieve Nationally Recognised Qualifications in their industry, but also to be recognised for skills they have developed during their entire working life.

Apprenticeships and traineeships continue to be the major form of vocational training in Australia, and it is our privilege through the Rotary Club of Berri to be able to support and encourage young people starting off on their lifelong career paths.

Riverland and Mallee Vocational awards are held in February each year, and thanks need to go to the Organising Committee, sponsors, media partners and most importantly to the trainees, apprentices and their employers for supporting this high profile event.