Apprentices tap awards

AN ENDEAVOUR Hills apprentice was honoured for his work at the 106th Master Plumbers Gold Medal and Training Awards 2013.
On 19 June, nine awards went to plumbing apprentices in Victoria who have excelled in their pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship studies and job performance.
Senior apprentice Andrew McIver, from Endeavour Hills won the Energy Safe Victoria Encouragement Award on which is aimed at encouraging post-apprenticeship studies in the gas industry.
He was also one of three finalists in the Andrew Letten Gold Medal Award.
Mr McIver is the first apprentice within his employer’s company, Croft Contracting in Hallam, to finish his apprenticeship.
He plans to start post-apprenticeship advanced courses in mechanical services and business management within the next six months.
“I hope to one day be self-employed and am keen to specialise in mechanical services, including air conditioning,” Mr McIver said.
“Plumbing is a great trade to be a part of in that it provides a long term career where there is always plenty of work available.”
Mr McIver’s employer Darren Andrew said he had a good work ethic and he would be happy to continue employing him.
Ken Gardner, chief executive officer of the Master Plumbers Association, said the award were an opportunity to recognise excellence in the plumbing sector and support the growth of young apprentices.
“Awards of this nature are vitally important for nurturing apprentices and young people to ensure we have a talented pool of qualified individuals available in the future.
“These awards exist for that purpose,” Mr Gardner said.
“They demonstrate the value to employers of recognising and rewarding talented and committed individuals.”
Master Plumbers is Australia’s largest plumbing industry association provides its members with business services, industry representation, training and advice on industrial relations, employment and safety.