Lola Davis handed the Mike Davis Memorial Cup over to Top Overall Apprentice Jeremy Long.

The winners of the Rotary Club of Greenmeadows Trade Training Awards were announced on Wednesday during a ceremony held at the Napier War Memorial Centre.

The gala evening shone a spotlight on 33 young tradespeople who were recognised for their commitment, passion and excellence. The award categories – presented by Todd Rogers, Head of School of Trades & Technology alongside Glenn Fulcher, Head of School of Tourism & Hospitality – included Hairdressing, Hospitality, Automotive, Carpentry, Electrical, Engineering and Plumbing, Gasfitting & Drainlaying.

Amid loud applause automotive engineering student Juliette Gerbes received the Certificate of Excellence Award. Her tutor Lofty Revell, who had nominated her spoke highly of Juliette’s great performance and can do attitude, “Her work was always accurate and extremely well presented and Juliette was instrumental in building a great spirit within her peer group.” Juliette is currently employed by Bayswater Vehicles while doing the EIT Level 4 managed apprenticeship.

The ceremony evening culminated in Top Carpentry Apprentice Jeremy Long winning the Mike Davis Memorial Cup as Top Overall Apprentice which is traditionally handed over by Mike Davis’ wife Lola. “His book work is of a very high standard and he is always prepared at site visits, he is diligent and conscientious. His employer is actually overseas at the moment and has the confidence in Jeremy’s abilities to leave him running the business for two months,” praised programme coordinator Shane Sigglekow.

The apprenticeship awards, this year organised for the 41st time by the Rotary Club of Greenmeadows and EIT

Certificate of Excellence Award winner Juliette Gerbes with award sponsor Andrew Holtham (Repco).

Hawke’s Bay, were initiated in 1978 by the late Jim Callinicos who was the second president of the club and former president of the Motor Trade Association.

The aim of the awards is to honour the achievements of young tradespeople and to help them pave their way with thousands of dollars in scholarship money sponsored by local businesses.