Newcastle apprentices Rhys Duggan, Troy Gibbs and Hayley Waterhouse will soon ply their trade overseas after each winning a youth award worth $8000.
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The trio from Newcastle TAFE were named winners of BBM Youth Support awards for their outstanding industry skills and career aspirations.
“BBM Youth Support awards give future industry leaders the opportunity to work, study and grow both professionally and personally through international work experience,” Melanie Stray, chief executive officer of BBM Youth Support, said.
“The BBM judging panel recognised Rhys, Troy and Hayley as extraordinary professionals who demonstrate not only excellence in their skills but also ambition and industry leadership well beyond what one would expect from young people their age.
“They had already proven their extraordinary skills as WorldSkills Champions in their disciplines.
“The BBM Youth Support award recognises their keen interest in industry trends, outstanding networking skills and desire to take a lead in their industry and their community.”
BBM Youth Support, a not-for-profit organisation, offers awards in horticulture, trades, agriculture and performing arts.
The awards are designed to be a self-directed learning experience to give young people a chance to not only improve their professional development, but to grow in confidence and build their own aspiration for the future.
Awardees bring this knowledge back to inspire others in their community to build a better future for Australia.
The 2018 award winners were announced at Parliament House in Sydney on November 5.
The award will enable Rhys, who is a painter and decorator, Troy, a fourth year sheet metal apprentice, and Hayley, a fourth year hospitality apprentice, to travel overseas to advance their industry knowledge and learn new skills not readily available in Australia.
“My goal is to one day have my own business with a focus on historic buildings,” Rhys said.
“I want to learn more about my trade internationally to improve my trade skills, build business opportunities and network with other professionals. I want to learn about restoration work of early century buildings, especially surface coating techniques only available in the UK.
“This award will expand my horizons professionally and grow my confidence in business leadership.”
Troy said he also has clear goals for his trip
“I plan to complete my apprenticeship and undertake a Certificate IV in sheet metal technology,” he said.
“I aspire to either start or take over a metal fabrication business.
“The opportunity to work overseas will teach me different processes and systems in the trade and how their businesses function. I can then implement this knowledge into my work to operate a business more efficiently.”
For Hayley, the award will help her become a pastry chef.
The young baker has completed a Diploma in Hospitality specialising in patisserie and a Certificate III in Combined Baking. She is an apprentice at New Lambton’s Euro Patisserie.
“I aspire to work overseas and am hoping this will help me to become the best pastry chef I can be,” Hayley said.
“As a recipient of a BBM Youth Support Award I get a head start in chasing this dream, and for that I am extremely thankful.”
