Top students recognised at Kangan Institute Apprentice and Industry Awards Ceremony

Kangan Institute held its annual Apprentice and Industry Awards Ceremony last night to celebrate the achievements of nearly 30 apprentices and trainees.

Students gathered at Aerial, South Wharf as they were recognised from a wide range of study areas, including construction, engineering, electrical, landscape construction, commercial cookery, bakery, hairdressing and automotive.

The top award – Apprentice of the Year – was presented to Certificate III in Carpentry student Carl Sartori for achieving excellence in his field.

The 40-year-old former paramedic discovered a passion for carpentry after working on a window installation project in his new home.

“As soon as I realised I enjoyed carpentry work, I spoke to a carpenter about becoming a labourer. I soon decided to do an apprenticeship and spoke to the team at Kangan Institute who helped me get started,” he said.

Undertaking an apprenticeship as an adult learner while supporting a family may have had its challenges, but Carl remains unwavering in his belief that the value of education far outweighs its challenges.

“The most difficult aspect was providing support for my family. We had to economise as much as we could and I decided to ask my boss for extra work when it was available,” he said.

“This is my fourth career. Returning to education and starting again was a challenge in itself but it was something I enjoyed because I was learning something new. I’ve found a career that I genuinely love and I feel a sense of pride when I see the things I’ve built.”

Carl has his career plans mapped out and this includes obtaining a domestic builder’s license after his apprenticeship to secure his future in the field. The award winner is hopeful that his journey will inspire others to consider a skilled trade career.

“Apprenticeships are sometimes considered a secondary choice for people who aren’t achieving academically. But I found that I faced more challenges as a carpenter compared with other careers. Apprenticeships and trades are options for many people to strive towards as pathways to successful lives.”

Apprentice of the Year (Construction) – Carl Sartori
Award sponsored by: Metricon

Metricon Trade Smart Award – Lucas Gambera
Award sponsored by: Metricon

Apprentice of the Year (Engineering) – Matthew Williams
Award sponsored by: Essendon Rotary Club

Apprentice of the Year (Electrical) – Steve McKinnon
Award sponsored by: Energy Safe Victoria

Apprentice of the Year (Landscape Construction) – Joshua Greenhalgh
Award sponsored by: Plantmark

Apprentice of the Year (Commercial Cookery) – Samuel Wood

Apprentice of the Year (Bakery) – Christopher Porter
Award sponsored by: Australian Bakery and Pizza

Student of the Year (Bakery) – Bruce McDonald

Apprentice of the Year (Hairdressing) – Ciara Remfrey-Petit

Sir Henry Royce Foundation Award for Excellence – Nicholas Spencer
Award sponsored by: Sir Henry Royce Foundation

Apprentice of the Year (Automotive) – Joshua Drenen
Award sponsored by: Sir Henry Royce Foundation

Pre-Apprentice of the Year (Automotive) – Nikko Magno
Award sponsored by: Albert Park Rotary Club

Trainee of the Year (Automotive) – Aaron Piening
Award sponsored by: Nissan Motorsport

A.R. Jackson Award – Matthew Setaro
Award sponsored by: Coburg Rotary Club

Apprentice of the Year (Motorcycle) – Patrick Dealy
Award sponsored by: WPC Group

Automotive Electrical Achievement Award – Liam Groves
Award sponsored by: Training Systems Australia

Apprentice of the Year (Automotive Electrical) – Adrian Sambuco
Award sponsored by: Ashdown Ingram

Apprentice of the Year (Automotive Refinishing Technology) – Eric Yiu-Cheung Chan
Award sponsored by: PPG

Student of the Year (Motorsport) – Brodie Moore
Award sponsored by: Century Batteries

Apprentice of the Year (Automotive Parts Interpreting) – Jayden Duke
Award sponsored by: Ashdown Ingram

Apprentice of the Year (Heavy Vehicle) – Joshua Drenan
Award sponsored by: SP Tools

Apprentice of the Year (Heavy Vehicle – Key Client) – Goran Bene
Award sponsored by: SAF Holland

Apprentice of the Year (Light Vehicle – Key Client) – Phuoc Pham Award sponsored by: VACC

Apprentice of the Year (Automotive Body Repair) – David Jr Blazevic
Award sponsored by: Sheen Group

Apprentice of the Year (Automotive Body Repair – Key Client: Sheen Group) – Timothy Kennedy
Award sponsored by: Sheen Group

Apprentice of the Year (Automotive Refinishing Technology – Key Client: Sheen Group) – Corey Brown
Award sponsored by: Sheen Group

Lionel Gell School of Instruction Award in Automotive – Joshua Drenan
Award sponsored by: Sir Henry Royce Foundation