2017 Award Winners

2017 Apprentice of the Year - Winner

Chloe Rudd

Print DNA
Cert III in Print Communications
RTO TAFE SA Tea Tree Gully

Chloe combined strong people skills and a creative flare with technological know-how to blossom into a valued member of the Print DNA team at Renmark. Her ability to add value to her position and identify business opportunities for her employers in fields beyond the traditional have been hallmarks of her apprenticeship. Going above and beyond the call of duty, consistently producing high quality work and developing new revenue streams are all part and parcel of what Chloe brings to her employer.

2017 Apprentice of the Year - Runner Up

Cody Heinrich

Water Engineering Technologies (SA Water)
Cert III in Engineering (Fabrication)
RTO TAFE SA Berri

Cody was one of those teenagers who knew what he wanted to be at an early age. After growing up on a farm outside Loxton, he had set his sights being a welder and after completing Year 12 at Loxton High, he started his Engineering in Fabrication apprenticeship at Water Engineering Technologies (SA Water). Needless to say, he took the job like a duck to water and by completion his boss Simon Ferber saw him producing the quality of work that equalled any seen in the Berri workshop over the past 25 years.

2017 Trainee of the Year - Winner

Nicholas Svetec

Sunraysia Murray Training Group
Hosted by Big River Toyota
Cert III in Automotive Sales
RTO Quality Automotive Training

Customer service and product knowledge are vital in Nick’s role as an automotive parts interpreter at Big River Toyota. Despite coming in with limited trade experience, Nick has committed himself to building his knowledge in this specialised field. Working alongside Mark Ruediger and Dave Schulz, he has been provided with two outstanding role models who have encouraged him to ask questions and immerse himself in the training provided by Toyota. As a result, Nick emerges from a traineeship as a respected member of the highly rated Toyota service team, capable of handling customer inquiries without assistance.

2017 Trainee of the Year - Runner Up

Emily Ramos

Tim Whetstone MP
Cert III in Business
RTO TAFE SA Berri

Emily worked alongside Member for Chaffey Tim Whetstone in his electorate office while completing a Certificate III in Business. Tim has been so impressed in Emily’s organisational skills and ability to deal with a wide range of enquiries that come through his office that he has offered a temporary leadership role in the office until she pursues university. Her ability to relate to people of all walks of life and multi-task on a daily basis to accommodate the varying demands of a busy local MP has been an invaluable resource for the Member for Chaffey.

2017 Industry Winner - Automotive/Diesel

Thomas Brooke

Sunraysia Murray Group Training
Hosted by Scherer Contractors Pty Ltd
Cert III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology
RTO TAFE SA Berri

Thomas has always loved tinkering with engines and has thrived in his diesel mechanic apprenticeship under the guidance of Mark Westley at Scherer Contractors. Mark describes Tom as a well-mannered young man who is always on time and dedicated to the cause. The heavy demand on keeping machinery maintained and operating at Scherer’s necessitates him working long days and most Saturdays and according to Mark this is always done to the best of his ability.

2017 Industry Winner - Bakery

Maria Chliaras

Barmera Bakery
Cert III in Bakery
RTO TAFE SA Regency

The Barmera Bakery has developed a reputation for producing outstanding apprentices and in 2018, the tradition continues with Maria Chliaras. Maria has become an “extremely important member” of the small Barmera Bakery team. Not only has she developed a wide range of skills, she has taken on extra workload during the past 18 months after two other bakers took maternity leave and her boss Angas Boase has marvelled at her capacity to not only manage large workloads but always maintain a positive mindset among her co-workers.

2017 Industry Winner - Building & Construction

Benjamin Pilgrim

Sunraysia Murray Group Training
Hosted by Centofanti Design & Construct
Cert III in Carpentry
RTO Training Prospects

Ben is a well organised, self-starter who demonstrates a strong team ethic and maturity for his age. Centofanti Design and Construct took Ben on part way through the first year of his apprenticeship and have been delighted with his dedication and willingness to learn. He always asks the right questions required which shows the he is becoming more responsible and at the same time gaining a better understanding of the work he is carrying out.

2017 Industry Winner - Electrical/Air Conditioning

Beau Jinks

DPTI Morgan Dockyard
Statewide Group Training
Hosted by DPTI – Morgan Dockyard
Cert III in Electrotechnology
RTO TAFE SA Berri

Beau is not new to life as an apprentice. After completing an apprenticeship in air-conditioning and refrigeration with Hansen Electric, Beau started his second apprenticeship in electrotechnology before transferring across to Morgan Dockyard. The move has provided him with exposure to a wide range of tasks and scenarios as they maintain the South Australian ferries on the River Murray. According to his boss Eric Cain, Beau has quickly become a valued team member capable of handling call outs and working autonomously. He has a strong focus on safety in the workplace and always ensures tasks are completed on time and to a high quality.

2017 Industry Winner - Engineering

Cody Heinrich

Water Engineering Technologies (SA Water)
Cert III in Engineering (Mechanical)
RTO TAFE SA Berri

2017 Industry Winner - Hairdressing

Tahlia Price

Jarahs Hair Salon
Cert III in Hairdressing
RTO Clip Joint Education

Tahlia pursued her dream to be a hair stylist from an early age. Jarahs Hairdressing identified her potential and took her on as a school-based apprentice at the age of 15. As a result, Tahlia committed to juggling full time work and school, and over the past four years has developed her own distinctive style that sets her apart from many others in the industry. According to her employer, Tahlia’s dedication, work ethic and passion for the role has shone out through her tenure at Jarahs Hairdressing.

2017 Industry Winner - Painting & Decorating

Samuel Hill

Ricky Hamood Painter & Decorator
Cert III in Painting & Decorating
RTO TAFE Tonsley

Sam started off as a school-based apprentice with Ricky Hamood Painting and has become an integral part of the company, capable of working unsupervised and making on-the-job decisions. Ricky and Wendy Hamood are very proud of the development of Sam and constantly receive feedback from customers of how respectful and knowledgeable he has been. He has set his sights on further developing his skills with the Hamoods and in the long term would like to run his own home maintenance business covering services such as painting, plumbing, general carpentry and landscaping.

2017 Industry Winner - Print Communication

Chloe Rudd

Print DNA
Cert III in Print Communications
RTO TAFE SA Tea Tree Gully

2017 School Based Apprentice of the Year - Winner

Blake Guppy

SMGT Hosted by GJ Gardner Homes
Industry: Cert III in Carpentry
RTO: NEVC

Blake completed Year 12 at Glossop High School in 2017. During this time, he commenced a School Based Cert 3 Apprenticeship as an Apprentice Carpenter with Sunraysia Murray Group Training, hosted by GJ Gardner Homes. Blake has been described as having maturity beyond his years, and is looking forward to a career in the Building industry.

2017 School Based Apprentice of the Year - Runner Up

Jared Smith

SMGT Hosted by Smith’s Carpentry
Industry: Cert III in Carpentry
RTO: NEVC

Jared completed Year 12 at Glossop High School in 2017. He commenced a School Based Cert 3 Apprenticeship with Statewide Group Training, hosted by Smith’s Carpentry as an Apprentice Carpenter. Jared is described as a determined and motivated young man

2017 School Based Trainee of the Year - Winner

Kelsey Wade

Berri Plaza Newsagent & Photographics
Industry: Cert III in Business
RTO: TAFE SA Berri

Kelsey completed Year 12 at Glossop High School in 2017, while also doing a School Based Cert 3 Traineeship in Business, trained by TAFE SA, employed by Berri Plaza Newsagent and Photographics. Kelsey is described as a self-motivated, forward thinking young lady with a very bright future.

2017 School Based Trainee of the Year - Runner Up

Stavroula Kalantis

Priceline Pharmacy
Industry: Cert II in Community Pharmacy
RTO: Pharmacy Guild Of Australia

Loula has completed Year 12 at Renmark High School in 2017. She has been undertaking a School Based Cert 3 Traineeship in Community Pharmacy, trained by Pharmacy Guild Australia, employed with Priceline Pharmacy Renmark.

2017 Vocational Educational Student of the Year - Winner

Zac Wagenknecht

Industry: Cert III in Carpentry
RTO: NEVC

Zac completed Year 12 at Loxton High School in 2017. During the year, he undertook the Doorways to Construction program trained by NEVC which introduces students the Building industry. Zac’s goal is to obtain an apprenticeship in the Construction industry, and eventually have his own building company.

2017 Vocational Educational Student of the Year - Runner Up

Sarah Reuschs

Industry: Cert II in Construction
RTO: NEVC

Sarah studied Year 11 at Waikerie High School in 2017. She undertook the Doorways to Construction program trained by NEVC as part her aim to pursue a career in the Building industry.