A European destination beckons for the national winners of the 2005 Group Training Apprentice of the Year and Trainee of the Year announced in Sydney tonight.

Apprentice of the Year Nathan Heinrich, employed by Group Training Northern Territory and working on site with the PowerWater Corporation, was the first person to undertake the newly established Cablejoining apprenticeship. Completing 6 months ahead of schedule and extending his study to include Systems Electrician, Nathan is now a multi-skilled tradesman looking to broaden his skills further.

Group Training Trainee of the Year, Danielle Salter works in the Tasmanian Department of Education’s Office of Youth Affairs and was employed during her traineeship by Work and Training Ltd. Combining high school and motherhood, Danielle delayed her university education to take the more practical traineeship option, with the ultimate goal of pursuing a career in education.

Both award winners received return tickets to Paris courtesy of Air France plus a substantial cash prize.

Nominees for the 2005 Group Training National Awards, sponsored by DETNAC and Air France and supported by the Australian Government, were selected from the 40,000 apprentices and trainees employed by the Group Training Network of over 150 Group Training Organisations across Australia.

Jim Barron, CEO of Group Training Australia says,

“These awards also proudly recognise the vital contributions made by Group Training Organisation field staff in supporting apprentices and trainees and by employers choosing to host an apprentice or trainee.”

Amanda Ferguson from Central West Group Apprentices in NSW was awarded Field Officer of the Year and the Argyle Diamond Mine in WA won Host Business of the Year. New Apprentice – Indigenous was won by SANFL footballer, Duane Von Senden, employed through AFL SportsReady Ltd. New Apprentice – Disability was awarded to Anthony Hudson, employed by On Q Human Resources and hosted by Disability and Aged Information Service Inc and New Apprentice – School-Based was won by Ben McDonald who was placed at Stuart Highway Autos through Group Training Northern Territory.

Innovation Award winner, Gippsland Group Training, was recognised as a key contributor to a unique education partnership involving a Secondary College, TAFE, University, Local Council and Group Training Organisation. Developed as an integrated post compulsory environment that enables all learners to develop their full potential, the Gippsland Education Precinct is an exciting taste of the future for Vocational Education and Training in Australia.