The achievements of Hawke’s Bay’s top automotive, building, electrical, engineering, culinary, hospitality and hairdressing apprentices were celebrated at an awards Wednesday 15 May, with Napier chef Thomas Rofe named the region’s top overall apprentice.
Staged at the Taradale Town Hall, the Greenmeadows Rotary and EIT Hawke’s Bay Apprentice Award Evening recognised 26 top achievers from tertiary courses.
Awarded the Mike Davis Cup for top overall apprentice, Tom has worked for four years at the Mission restaurant, where he is currently exploring his passion for pastry.
Regional Modern Apprentice coordinator Mark Caves says the 21-year-old is well-respected by the restaurant team.
The 21-year-old is an exemplary chef, says Mark, who is senior academic lecturer for EIT’s Diploma in Professional Chef Practice programme – “he always displays the highest level of professionalism, attitude, maturity and attention to detail”.
Having completed the ITO modern apprenticeship in cookery last year, Tom enrolled in the Savour professional chocolate course in Melbourne. He is now planning further travel – a culinary road trip to the USA, taking in the Napa Valley and leading restaurants in the wine region such as Bouchon, run by American chef, restaurateur and cookbook writer Thomas Keller.
The EIT School of Trades and Technology Certificate in Excellence winner was Rasanga Bamberenda Guruge, who also received the Hawke’s Bay MTA Scholarship for Excellence in the EIT Certificate in Automotive Trades.
English is a second language for the Sri Lankan who nonetheless achieved very high marks in all of his exams.
Automotive programme coordinator at EIT’s School of Trades & Technology Lofty Revell says Rasanga gained his apprenticeship even before finishing his Certificate in Automotive Trades – “he is now firmly ensconced in the trade”.
Greenmeadows Rotary and EIT Hawke’s Bay Apprentice Award Winners 2013
- Repco Award for Excellence in the EIT Certificate in Automotive Trades (July programme) – Sydrik Newland
- Hawke’s Bay MTA Scholarship for Excellence in the EIT Certificate in Automotive Trades (February programme) – Rasanga Bamberenda Guruge
- Motor Body Building Apprentice “Take Care” Memorial Trophy for the Best Apprentice in National Certificate in either Panel Beating or Spray Painting – Corey Simpkin
- MTA Best Apprentice Year 1 Hawke’s Bay in the National Certificate in Automotive Engineering – Aaron Gardner
- MTA Best Apprentice Year 2 Hawke’s Bay in the National Certificate in Automotive Engineering – Hayden Middleton
- Jim Callinicos Award for the Best Apprentice in Hawke’s Bay in the National Certificate in Automotive Engineering – Hayden Goodall
- Pre Trade Top Student, Carpentry 2012 (February programme) – Benn Lantsbury
- Pre Trade Top Student, Carpentry 2012 (July programme) – Carl Oliver
- Top Apprentice, Carpentry 2012 – Curtis Parker
- AE Morris Award for Top Marks for EIT Certificate in Electrical Trades – Vinh Tran
- George Metcalf Award for Most Improved for EIT Certificate in Electrical Trades – Jiles Middleton
- Unison the Power Lines People Award ITO Trade Exams – Matthew Forman
- Ideal Electrical Wholesalers Award Student who has realised their potential – Amandeep Chowdhary
- Wineworks Top Student Overall EIT Certificate in Electrical Trades – Robert Stockley
- Weldwell $1000 Scholarship for Excellence in the EIT Certificate in Engineering Trades Programme (Welding) – Jarrod Murton
- Weldwell $1000 Scholarship for Excellence in the EIT Certificate in Engineering Trades Programme (Mechanical) – Te Maia Jones
- Blackwoods Protector Safety Most Improved Student in the EIT Certificate in Engineering Trades Programme – Robert Wroe
- Wineworks Top Student Overall in the EIT Certificate in Engineering Trades Programme – Te Maia Jones
- EIT Hawke’s Bay Top Student in the National Certificate in Hairdressing Year 1 Programme – Renee Lee
- EIT Hawke’s Bay Top Student in the National Certificate in Hairdressing Year 2 Programme – Denise Robertson
- EIT Hawke’s Bay Top Second Year Apprentice – Yahna Pham
- EIT Hawke’s Bay Top Third Year Apprentice – Kylie Vereker-Bindon
- Top Diploma in Professional Chef Practice Student – Hilary Wroe
- Top Certificate in Front of House Operations Student – Aaron Heal
- Top Certificate in Cafe and Bar Operations Student – Courtney Timms
- Top Hospital Modern Apprentice – Thomas Rofe
- School of Trades & Technology Certificate in Excellence – Rasanga Bamberenda Guruge
- Top Overall Apprentice – Mike Davis Memorial Cup – Thomas Rofe