Introducing Victorian Apprentice of the Year Sevag Parseghian

Certificate III in Automotive Mechanical Technology graduate Sevag Parseghian was recently honoured by the Victorian State Government with the Victorian Apprentice of the Year award.

The event, held on 24 August 2012, highlighted Sevag's skills and ambitions. His win means he'll go on to represent Victoria and Kangan Institute at the Australian Training Awards. Sevag, from Wantirna, was initially enrolled in an engineering degree at university but decided to change course (literally) to enrol at TAFE.

He chose the automotive industry and training path at Kangan Institute because of the passion he's always had for working with motor vehicles. "I enjoy working with engines and the challenges that the industry provides, which enables me to gain further knowledge and experience through training and at the workplace on a daily basis," he said.

Being in the position he's in now allows him to inspire and encourage others to truly do what their heart desires and enjoy what they learn on a day-today basis. "This is a very rewarding feeling as it helps others want to learn and achieve more from our great training system to help the overall industry I love to become stronger and more recognised," he continued.

Sevag had already received numerous awards, some of which included: Outstanding Achievement Award at Kangan Institute AR Jackson award (The best first year apprentice across all the automotive trades) through Kangan Institute Best 1st year apprentice, outstanding achievements - Mercedes-Benz Annual Apprentice awards

Achieving 100% results in all training modules at Mercedes-Benz National Training Academy Being one out of 12 technicians from around Australia chosen to represent Mercedes Benz Australia for their AMG drive days (Australian GP Albert Park, Phillip island).

He was the only Apprentice chosen (and selected three years consecutively) Best 2nd year apprentice, outstanding achievements - Mercedes-Benz Annual Apprentice awards Apprentice of The Year award by his employer WPC Group Awarded with early release allowing him to become a fully qualified technician in less than the usual time Sevag has also developed skills to become a great ambassador for the automotive industry in Australia.

He's had many different opportunities to promote the automotive industry through being featured in: a Skills Victoria interview to promote apprenticeships; a Herald Sun article titled "Why I Love My Job"; every Leader newspaper across Melbourne as one of the main ambassadors in the apprenticeship campaign in Melbourne called "Jobs 101"; the August issue of Street Machine Magazine as finalist for Snap On Apprentice Of The Year.

Sevag knows that you have to work hard to achieve what you want, and that's exactly what he's done since following his passion. He's now employed by Mercedes-Benz in South Melbourne and is looking towards a managerial role in the future.

How does he do it? Sevag offers this sound advice: "Waking up and knowing that you are doing what you truly love helps you get through anything."

Kangan Institute is proud to have helped shape the future of such a successful individual and we look forward to hearing more about Sevag's continued success. For more information about Kangan Institute's Automotive Centre of Excellence in Docklands please call 13 TAFE (13 8233).