22 January 2009
TAFE students graduate to great opportunities
Back: Edward Nannup, Burchell Hayes (Regional Employment Coordinator HWE Mining) Elizabeth Coleman (Project Officer Orebody) and Robert Ronan. Front: Margo Criddle (Regional Community Relations Officer, HWE Mining) Sonia Todd, Krystal Starr, Lyndsay Gilla.
Pilbara TAFE celebrated two separate student award nights last year to recognise the achievements of their outstanding students.
On December 12th, TAFE’s top graduates in Newman received prizes in key categories, sponsored by Apprenticeships Australia, HWE Mining, BHP Billiton Iron Ore, the Shire of East Pilbara and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA.
Pilbara TAFE’s Program Manager at Newman Campus, Natalie McGrath, said the awards were a great opportunity to reward the effort invested by students throughout the year.
“We held a nomination process to determine our top trainees, vocational school students and apprentices,” said Natalie.
“Thanks to the high caliber of entrants, the determination of the winning student in each category was no easy process, considering the high level of commitment demonstrated by the training participants throughout the year.”
Along with Apprenticeships Australia and BHP Iron Ore, Pilbara TAFE was proud to announce the following winners:
- Trainee of the Year – Amanda Williamson
- Vocational School Student of the Year – Dylan Pobrica
- First Year Apprentice – John Dow
- Second Year Apprentice - Joshua Wilson
- Third Year Apprentice – Trent Garth
- Fourth Year Apprentice – Shaun Forsyth
- Business Administration Trainee – Dale Miler
- Mining Trainee – Trevette Jilba
“We congratulate all our students in the Tablelands, along with these individual winners,” said Natalie. “Without a doubt, their efforts and skills will be highly valued in WA’s future workforce”.
At another ceremony on 15th December five other students graduated from Pilbara TAFE in front of family and friends at a ceremony at HWE Mining.
Robert Ronan, Sonia Todd, Lyndsay Gilla, Edward Gilla and Krystal Starr received a Certificate I in Resource and Infrastructure Operations after taking part in a nine-week pre-employment program.
“This course has been specifically designed to provide Indigenous people with the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to gain access to employment in the mining and construction industries,” explained Natalie.
“This night is the culmination of a partnership between HWE Mining, Pilbara TAFE and Job Futures so we’re thrilled to see these students graduate.”
“Each one of them has learned skills in a range of different areas such as working with power tools and Occupational Health and Safety,” said Natalie. “Best of all, thanks to HWE Mining, they may also be offered employment at HWE Mining Orebody 5.
Among the graduates, Edward Gilla was awarded the Best Overall Student, while Krystal Starr received two awards for Most Improved Student as well as the Student Award.
Back: Col Crocker (Pilbara TAFE) Bill McDonald (Pilbara TAFE) Trevette jilba, Amanda Williamson, Dylan Pobrica, Eddy Campbell (Apprenticeships Australia). Front: Sean Forsythe, John Dow, Trent Garth
For more information about courses at Pilbara TAFE Newman’s campus contact 9158 2300.
Media Contact: Kate Duff, Marketing & Communications
(08) 9159 6712
Kate.duff@pilbaratafe.wa.edu.au