The winners of the Trade Training Awards were announced yesterday during a ceremony held at the Napier War Memorial Centre. The awards, this year organised for the 43rd time by the Rotary Club of Greenmeadows and EIT, 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. Fred Koenders, Executive Dean, Faculty of Commerce and Technology says; “EIT has seen a surge in pre-apprenticeship training. An additional 100 students have enrolled in trades programmes at EIT in 2021 compared to 2020. EIT is certainly contributing meeting the surging needs of employers for more apprentices”
To the acclaim of family, friends and work colleagues, Hospitality student Cameron McKie received the EIT Certificate of Excellence Award. Earlier in the ceremony Cameron was also awarded the Hawke’s Bay Wine and Food Society Scholarship.
The Awards ceremony culminated in Electrical Apprentice Philip Murray winning the Mike Davis Memorial Cup as Top Overall Apprentice. The President, Rotary Club of Greenmeadows, Frank Heuser, presented Philip with the prestigious Cup.
School of Trades and Technology Electrical tutor, Ray Lawrence, explained that Philip was from a farming background where farmers can be seen to do a bit of everything including carpentry and plumbing, however, apart from the electric fence, not a lot of electrical work. This lack of knowledge was the main reason why he chose to become an electrician. His apprenticeship, offered to him by Callum Pailthorpe of Elite Electrical, allowed Philip to earn while he learnt. This was especially important to him as at the age of 40, there were plenty of bills and a mortgage to pay. Philip was given the opportunity in August of 2017 and began his electrical apprenticeship at EIT at the beginning of 2018.
The celebratory evening highlighted the 40 EIT trades students who were recognised for their commitment, passion and excellence. The award categories included Hairdressing, Barbering, Hospitality, Automotive, Carpentry, Joinery, Electrical, Engineering and Plumbing, Gasfitting & Drainlaying.