WelTec Graduate Wins Apprentice Award

MEDIA RELEASE
November 2009

The best in business congregated at the Lower Hutt Town Hall earlier this month for the Hutt Valley Business Excellence Awards. This year, the inaugural Apprentice of the Year Award was added to the list of honours, won by Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec) graduate, Drew Avery.

Apprenticeships can often take years to complete - but with commitment, hard work and the support of both WelTec and his employer, Wakefield and Scott Ltd, Drew completed his apprenticeship in record time.

Offered a job before completing his studies, Drew worked and studied simultaneously in order to complete both his pre-trade qualification and apprenticeship. “My study has credited towards my apprenticeship which has meant that I was able to get through it faster. For me, completing a pre-trade programme has meant I was able to be hands-on from the start which I wouldn’t have gotten going straight into an apprenticeship. I learnt all the hands-on stuff at WelTec, everything that’s involved in the job.”

Drew is thrilled with the Hutt Valley Business Excellence Award which he says will join his 2009 IAG Apprentice of the Year Award on the mantelpiece. His award and subsequent sponsorship by IAG has led to a number of exciting opportunities including being a part of the State Insurance Smash Repair Team in the Hamilton 400 and working in the crew at the Hamilton Super Car Competition.

Owning his own Paint and Panel shop is the long term goal for Drew. In the more immediate future, he’s hoping to compete in the WorldSkills Refinishing Competition in 2010. In the early stages of his studies at WelTec Drew placed second in the regional competition and third in the National competition in 2008. “It was a good experience - I enjoyed it and learnt a lot. Having now finished my studies and my apprenticeship I’d like to think that I will place even better next year.”

ENDS

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