Trio of workers win top honours

20 June 2018

Council youngsters take two of three major awards

Three young Council workers have received top honours in the 2018 NSW Training Awards - North Coast Region.

Jake Farrell was named 2018 Apprentice of the Year, while Keely Currie was named 2018 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year and Jacob Godfrey was named a finalist and runner-up for 2018 Trainee of the Year.

Jake still works at Council in the metal fabrication workshop, while both Keely (formerly in the Human Resources Unit) and Jacob (formerly in Fleet Operations) have moved on to pursue other career opportunities.

All three were nominated for the awards by Rachael Quinlan, of Programmed Training Services, which placed the youngsters with Council to undertake the first stage of their lifelong careers by doing a traineeship or apprenticeship in their respective industries.

Jake and Keely will now progress to the State awards in September and, if successful there, the National awards in November.

“We are very proud of our young workers and value our partnership with Programmed who consistently do a fabulous job in helping young apprentices and trainees at the beginning of their careers,” said General Manager Troy Green.

“Keely and Jacob have both now left Council to pursue new career opportunities but we are pleased to still have Jake doing fantastic work as a fabricator welder in the metal fabrication team at our workshop.”

Programmed Australian Field Officer Rachael Quinlan thanked Council for providing a ‘fantastic learning platform’ for the young workers.

“The NSW training awards are a celebration of individual achievements for those that have excelled while completing their traineeship or apprenticeship,” Ms Quinlan said.

“It was my honour to attend and support Keely, Jake and Jacob at the awards in Coffs Harbour. All three were among high achievers in their categories so to be awarded two out of three awards was absolutely amazing.

“It takes a village of people to support, mentor, encourage and provide a positive environment for them to thrive in so a big ‘congratulations’ must go to everyone at Tweed Shire Council who played a part in their successful journey.”

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Caption: Programmed Australian Field Officer Rachael Quinlan with Keely Currie and Jacob Godfrey at the awards ceremony.