2023 Award Winners
2023 Apprentice of the Year - Winner
Callum Irlam
Employed by Loxton Community Hotel Motel
Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
RTO – TAFE SA
Callum has had a passion and fascination for cooking from a young age. He undertook a School based Apprenticeship with the Loxton Hotel and moved on to fulltime after completing Year 12. Callum hopes to travel the world and learn about different cultures and cuisines and then return to the Riverland and teach the next generation of Chefs.
2023 Apprentice of the Year - Runner Up
Monty Wall
Employed by LecLogix Riverland & Mallee Pty Ltd
Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
RTO – TAFE SA
Monty is now in his 3rd year of an Electrician apprenticeship and working with LecLogix after completing a week’s work experience while at school. He enjoys working at different locations almost every day, meeting new people and goes home each day with a smile on his face. Monty hopes to build his own car that can travel off-grid and around Australia independently. He is also keen to buy and renovate a home using some of the skills his trade and involvement in the building industry has taught him.
2023 Trainee of the Year - Winner
Jayde Harrington
Employed by Almondco Australia Ltd
Certificate lV in Business
RTO – SG Learning and Development Pty Ltd
Commencing in a Traineeship at Almondco in 2022 Jayde has absolutely blossomed and is now undertaking a Certificate IV in Business as the People & Culture Administrator. Jayde is a great advocate for the VET sector as she now guest speaks in High Schools and is very motivated to learn more.
2023 Trainee of the Year - Runner Up
Johnathon Twigden
Employed by Frankleigh Fruits
Certificate lll in Production Horticulture
RTO – GrowSmart Training
Working as a fulltime farm hand on a 3rd generation orchard, Johnathon is undertaking a Traineeship with GrowSmart. He values the opportunity to merge his hands on and classroom experience to improve his management skills. Johnathon is keen to further improve current practices on the farm and hopes to one day organise an international horticultural exchange program for students.
2023 Industry Winner - Automotive
Cody Schutz
Employed by MEGT hosted by MJC Mechanical Repairs
Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology
RTO – TAFE SA
Cody undertook a Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology working with MJC Mechanical Repairs and is now a FIFO (Fly in fly out) mechanic in Whyalla and other mine sites. Cody enjoys problem solving and working alongside more experienced mechanics to learn as much as he can. Cody’s goal is to continue to expand his knowledge and experience and be the best technician he can be in the hopes to start his own business one day.
2023 Industry Winner - CITB Building & Construction
Aaron Smith
Employed by SMGT hosted by Smith’s Carpentry & General Building
Certificate III in Carpentry
RTO – NEVC
Aaron is undertaking a Certificate III in Carpentry. He started with Smith’s Carpentry and is now a sub-contractor. Aaron is following in his father’s and brother’s footsteps who are both Carpenters. Aaron enjoys continuous learning; he valued his Apprenticeship that gave him a broad understanding of the workforce and what is required to be a successful worker. Long term Aaron hopes to take over the family business and is currently studying to acquire his builder’s license.
2023 Industry Winner - Commercial Cookery
Callum Irlam
Employed by Loxton Community Hotel Motel
Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
RTO – TAFE SA
Callum has had a passion and fascination for cooking from a young age. He undertook a School based Apprenticeship with the Loxton Hotel and moved on to fulltime after completing Year 12. Callum hopes to travel the world and learn about different cultures and cuisines and then return to the Riverland and teach the next generation of Chefs.
2023 Industry Winner - Electrical
Monty Wall
Employed by LecLogix Riverland & Mallee Pty Ltd
Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
RTO – TAFE SA
Monty is now in his 3rd year of an Electrician apprenticeship and working with LecLogix after completing a week’s work experience while at school. He enjoys working at different locations almost every day, meeting new people and goes home each day with a smile on his face. Monty hopes to build his own car that can travel off-grid and around Australia independently. He is also keen to buy and renovate a home using some of the skills his trade and involvement in the building industry has taught him.
2023 Industry Winner - Engineering
Jackson Thiel
Employed by JMA Engineering
Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade
RTO – TAFE SA
Jackson was working in retail during the Christmas Holidays when his current employer asked if he wanted to do a week’s work experience. Being unsure of what his career path was going to look like, Jackson agreed and is now a 4th year Apprentice at JMA. Jackson was awarded with a Citizenship Award in Year 7 for showing his leadership qualities and embracing the school’s values. These are traits he has now taken into the workplace.
2023 Industry Winner - Wall & Floor Tiling
Zachary Wills
Employed by Manuel’s Tiling & Building Services
Certificate III in Wall & Floor Tiling
RTO – TAFE SA
Zachary is in his 3rd year of an Apprenticeship in Wall and Floor Tiling with Manuel’s Tiling and Building Services. Zac aspires to one day owning his own business in construction, or tiling and building, where his aim is to support other local businesses and the community. Before his Apprenticeship Zac completed a Certificate II in the Doorway to Construction program.
2023 School Based Apprentice of the Year - Winner
Tyson McFeeters
Berri Regional Secondary College
Certificate III in Mechanical Engineering
Employed by TNT Fabrication & Engineering
RTO: TAFE SA
In 2023, in Year 12, Tyson commenced an ASBA with TNT Fabrications and Engineering in Berri, studying Certificate III in Mechanical Engineering. Tyson values being able to work in his chosen career with a local employer who is highly skilled in the industry. His long-term goal is to be a qualified Fitter and Turner and present himself as a ‘rounded and valuable employee’.
2023 School Based Apprentice of the Year - Runner Up
Deegan Corman
Berri Regional Secondary College
Certificate III in Plumbing and Gasfitting
Employed by Kuhn Plumbing
RTO: TAFE SA
Studying Certificate III in Plumbing and Gasfitting in 2023, Deegan’s School Based Apprenticeship with Kuhn Plumbing showcased his genuine interest and aptitude for the plumbing industry. Deegan values working alongside others to assist the development of his plumbing skills. His future goal is to complete Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services and own his own plumbing business in the Riverland or other parts of South Australia.
2023 School Based Trainee of the Year - Winner
Jenaya Biele
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Employed by The Loxton District Children’s Centre
RTO: MADEC Australia
Jenaya completed a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care as a School Based Trainee in 2023 at Loxton Children’s Centre. Jenaya valued the relationships she built with her colleagues and the children. The Centre recognised her passion for the early years, her openness to feedback and her time management skills. Supporting families and children as a Social Worker is her future goal.
2023 School Based Trainee of the Year - Runner Up
Meg Mitchell
Berri Regional Secondary College
Certificate III in Retail
Employed by Jarahs Hair (Front of House)
RTO: TAFE SA
Meg worked at Jarahs Hair as a School Based Trainee studying Certificate III in Retail in 2023. The support and guidance of her colleagues inspired and motivated her to continually strive for excellence. Meg recognised the growth in her confidence and adaptability as positive benefits to her personally, and to her professional pursuits in business and nursing.
2023 Vocational Educational Student of the Year - Winner
Jade Crook
Renmark High School
Certificate III Individual Support – Ageing
RTO: MADEC Australia
Because of Jade’s passion for helping the elderly with dignity and respect, she was offered a job early in her placement at Renmark Residential Aged Care. In her role as a Direct Care Attendant, Jade showed compassion, empathy, and patience despite having never worked with the elderly before. Having completed her Certificate III in Individual Support – Ageing in 2023, in the VET in Schools Program, Jade’s goal is to gain Nursing and Midwifery Degrees and to work overseas where there is a desperate need for medical assistance.
2023 Vocational Educational Student of the Year - Runner Up
Makaede Ireland
Loxton High School
Certificate III in Rural Operations
RTO: TAFE SA
Makaede’s first step towards her career as a qualified Vet, commenced when she studied Certificate III in Rural Operations in the VET in Schools Program in 2023. Makaede valued this course for the skills and knowledge she gained to seek employment in a wide range of settings within agricultural and rural operations. Her goal is to complete her Bachelor of Veterinary Bioscience at the University of Adelaide.
