|
|
Media Release
RECOGNISING AUSTRALIA'S BEST EMPLOYERS IN 2007
22 August 2007
Winners of tonight’s 2007 Minister’s Awards for Excellence for Employers of Australian Apprentices received a cash prize of $5,000 from the Australian Government, a specially designed trophy, and a certificate commemorating their achievements.
The Federal Minister for Vocational and Further Education, the Hon Andrew Robb AO MP, tonight announced the 19 outstanding winners at a gala event held in Melbourne.
In announcing the winners, Mr Robb said, “These important awards represent an opportunity for businesses to be recognised for their leadership in providing training and employment opportunities through the Australian Apprenticeships system.”
“The Howard Government has been working hard towards elevating the status of the trades, to highlighting the importance of Australian Apprenticeships, and to addressing the skills and labour shortage that we are facing. We recognised it a long time ago and we’ve been taking action.
“These employers here tonight have one important thing in common. They have all risen to the challenges we are facing as a nation – the challenge of an ageing population and the rapid growth of China and India in the world economic stage - and they have developed innovative and inspiring new ways to ensure that their workers and apprentices have every opportunity to exploit their natural talents, to develop their skills and set them up for a rewarding career.”
Recognising the importance and value of apprenticeships is essential to meeting Australia’s future economic growth and prosperity. “We need to get to the stage where a trade qualification is as valued as a University degree,” Mr Robb said.
The Australian Government provides a range of assistance to support apprentices and their employers, including the new $2,000 Apprenticeship Wage Top Up and the $1,000 Apprenticeship Training (Fee) Voucher that were announced in this year’s Budget.
In addition, the Australian Government has introduced Australian Technical Colleges, which provide students with valuable trade experience and the chance to earn a wage while also studying for their Year 12 certificate. Twenty-one Colleges are currently operational, with another seven due to open in 2008 and 2009.
“I am also proud to announce a new award category for 2008 – The Minister’s Award for Excellence for Commitment to Australian Apprenticeships,” Mr Robb said.
The new award category will recognise individuals who have committed themselves to the Australian Apprenticeships scheme as a student, a mentor, trainer and employer.
“I congratulate and commend tonight’s winning employers who have made an outstanding contribution towards the training of Australian Apprentices. These employers make a significant and worthwhile investment, not only for their own businesses, but for the local economy and for our nation’s workforce,” Mr Robb said.
“Their contribution is also vital for Australia to develop a skilled workforce to ensure we remain competitive in the global market.”
The Australian Government is delivering a range of initiatives to tackle Australia’s skills shortage, and will increase the Government’s commitment to skills training to
$2.9 billion a year.
A list of the 2007 Minister’s Award winners is attached. For interviews with winners please phone: Parker and Partners on (02) 6215 4200 or (02) 8281 3288.
More information about the Awards and the Australian Apprenticeships programme is at: www.australia.gov.au/australianapprenticeships
Media contacts
Minister Robb’s office: Kathryn Hodges 0409 132 567
Dept of Education,
Science and Training: Media Unit 02 6240 7300
Non-media queries 1300 363 079
2007 MINISTER’S AWARDS Winners
Organisation Region
NSW
Orange Credit Union Limited Western NSW
Brady Australia Pty Ltd Sydney
Thomas and Coffey Limited Illawarra and SE NSW
ACT
Sage Restaurant Canberra
VIC
The Brick Man Melbourne
Chumba Concept Salon Gippsland
Powercor Australia Ltd Victorian Central Highlands
QLD
CMC Training at Work Brisbane
Mackay City Council Central QLD
J Smith & Sons Pty Ltd South QLD
Rio Tinto Aluminium Weipa North QLD
SA
B & R Enclosures Pty Ltd Adelaide
Auspine Limited – Tarpeena Site SA Country
WA
Department of Environment & Conservation Southern WA
Western Geotechnics Pty Ltd Perth
Broome Central Motors Pty Ltd Northern WA
Primepower Engineering Pty Ltd Central SE WA
TAS
Fairbrother Pty Ltd Tasmania
NT
Frontier Services Northern Territory
|
