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‘Maddy’s dream job delivers training, experience and security’ – NextGen Jobs

Like many school-leavers, Maddy Gallagher found herself wondering about a career after finishing Year 12.

Unsure of what she wanted to do but keen to enter the workforce, she picked up a factory job in Tullamarine. But it didn’t take her long to realise it wasn’t for her.

“It was Monday to Friday and I was just like: I can’t do this, I can’t be inside,” Maddy says. So she started applying for apprenticeships online.

She secured an apprenticeship with the Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust in March, and Maddy has begun more fulfilling and satisfying work with her days spent outdoors cultivating soil, using the ride on mower and planting, among other tasks.

Maddy is happily working her way through a Certificate III in Parks and Gardens based at Altona Memorial Park, and it’s good, practical work with lots of variety. Importantly, it’s outdoors.

“I absolutely love it,” she says. “I think, if anything, I underestimated how good it was going to be. I thought I would struggle to fit in… but they took me in, and straight away, it was like I’d been there for ages. They were really welcoming.”

Maddy was supported through the  Victorian Apprenticeship Recovery Package, which places people aged 15 to 24 into fully-funded 12-month apprenticeships or traineeships with government departments, agencies, and local councils.

Backed by a $9 million investment from Jobs Victoria, the scheme placed its 300th apprentice in June.

Maddy says there is much to love about apprenticeships: You earn a qualification and invaluable on-the-job experience, and you are paid to learn.

“For people who don’t look at uni as something they want to do, I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship,” she says. “I feel like every job that you apply for now, all they want is experience. With an apprenticeship, you get the experience, but you also get the qualification.”

The Greater Melbourne Cemeteries Trust’s Horticultural Supervisor, Daniel Walkeden, said Maddy’s hard work, high standards and initiative contribute to her success as an apprentice.

“Apprenticeships are a really good leg-up to either get yourself qualified or just into a good industry and job,” Daniel says.

“I did an apprenticeship myself, and our manager at the moment actually started here as an apprentice, too. It’s really good to get kids in the gates and get their careers started.”

By Green Skills, ago

‘Inspirational female Arborist Trainee takes out three prestigious awards’ – AEN Awards

  • Trainee of the year
  • Inspiration Award: Women in Trades
  • GAN International Apprenticeship Scholarship

Katharine Starting her traineeship with Maroondah City Council in 2019.

On the March 11th 2021, WPC Group Arboriculture trainee Katharine Knapman took out three awards at the catch-up dinner for the 2020 Apprenticeship Employment Network (AEN) awards – the GAN Australia International Apprentice Scholarship, Inspiration Award: Women in Trades and Trainee of the Year.

The AEN Awards celebrate the achievements of apprentices, trainees and group training organisations in Victoria annually and this year they did not disappoint.

Starting her traineeship with Maroondah City Council in 2019, Katharine turned her passion for nature into a career. Maroondah City Council gave Katharine her start in the industry, introducing her to the trade where she gained confidence and met new people who shared her passion for the environment.

During her time with Maroondah City Council, Katharine proved her dedication and commitment to Arboriculture and her traineeship, by pursing her education outside of work, spending time with arborists who mentored her, showed her new skills and passed on their knowledge.

Now hosted with McLeod Trees, Katharine has had the opportunity to expand her knowledge further and work in different environments, undertaking new exciting tasks that will take her career to new heights.

Katharine is no stranger to winning awards. In 2019 she won the Outstanding First Year Student in Arboriculture at Holmesglen TAFE, which lead to her nomination for the 2019 Percy Moore Award with Holmesglen. Katharine also won the Timmy B Award at the VITO Climbing competition in 2019 for her attitude throughout the competition. WPC Group also nominated her for trainee of the year at the 2019 AEN awards.

When asked what winning the $12,000 scholarship means to her, Katharine says, “I will be able to further my education and career, going on to study higher certificates. Being able to continue my studies is just amazing.”

Winning Trainee of the Year, the Inspiration Award: Women in Trades and the GAN International Apprenticeship Scholarship gives Katharine the chance to promote Arboriculture, a trade that is still a new industry. Katharine is proud to show other women that they any do anything, that they can be part of a trade and pursue their dreams, “It would be really cool to see some more women to start trades and be part of the industry.”

Katharine thanked her employers; Maroondah City Council and McLeod Trees, WPC Group and her WPC Group mentor and her husband for supporting her throughout her traineeship.

Pictured left to right: Dean Luciani – AEN Chair, Tim Owens – WPC Group  Industry Consultant, Katharine Knapman – Trainee of the Year, the Inspiration Award: Women in Trades Recipient and the GAN International Apprenticeship Scholarship Recipient, Frederick J Maddern OBE – WPC Group Chairman and Gary Workman – AEN Executive Director.

By Green Skills, ago

‘Aussie Benz apprentices land US scholarship’ – GoAutoNews Premium, Online

August 8. 2018 | Robbie Wallis | GoAutoNews Premium Journalist

THREE young automotive apprentices working for Australian Mercedes-Benz dealerships have been granted a scholarship to travel to the United States for a cultural and career development tour that has been funded by the Institute for Workplace Skills and Innovation through Skilling Australia Foundation.

The scholarship will see the three recipients complete a two-to-three-day observation visit to a Mercedes-Benz dealership in either Los Angeles or Kentucky in September to observe first-hand how the car-maker’s American arm approaches automotive skills, and to bring back knowledge and skills they can share with co-workers.

Winners include 23-year-old Mikaela Lawrence and 20-year-old Fearghus Von Prott – both light vehicle mechanical apprentices – and 23-year-old Bianka Chiodo, a parts interpreting apprentice.

The three winners work for Mercedes-Benz Brisbane, Mercedes-Benz Sydney and Mercedes-Benz Melbourne respectively, and all started their apprenticeships within the last two years.

All three apprentices had help finding work through WPC Group, which connects prospective apprentices and trainees with employers and industries to facilitate job creation, and since 2000 has worked with Mercedes-Benz to find employment for 266 apprentices, mainly in the field of light vehicles but also in areas such as spare parts and spray painting.

To qualify for the scholarship, apprentices must have at least 18 months of experience in the automotive industry, and Skilling Australia Foundation – the philanthropic arm of WPC Group – has picked the three winners due to their high potential and performance in their roles.

The Workplace Institute, which works with numerous companies to address skills shortages, will fund the trip by covering expenses of all flights, transfers, accommodation, meals and insurances, as well as providing winners with a US-based mentor, uniforms and protective equipment.

Apprentices have been receiving the scholarship yearly since 2016.

All three Mercedes-Benz dealerships involved with the apprenticeship program are owned by Lei Shing Hong (LSH) Automobile, a Hong Kong-based conglomerate specialising in retailing vehicles, particularly from Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Lamborghini. Last year, Daimler AG purchased a 15 per cent stake in LSH Auto International.

LSH Auto Australia managing director John Good said promoting and developing apprentices was an important part of its business.

“Skill development is one of LSH Auto’s core brand values and we work very closely with WPC Group to ensure that we are supporting, educating and developing young apprentices looking to break into the automotive industry,” he said.

Original article: https://premium.goauto.com.au/aussie-benz-apprentices-land-us-scholarship/

WPC Group could get you into gear for a rewarding apprenticeship with luxury car dealer, Mercedes-Benz Melbourne, Sydney or Queensland, a member of LSH Auto Australia. You’ll need to be serious though, as competition is turbo-charged. For more info, visit here.

By Reuben Armstrong, ago

‘Job-readiness program plants seeds for Connor’s career’ – Berwick Star News

As a 19-year-old high school graduate, Connor Noonan had no idea what career path to explore.

“Apart from not wanting a desk job, I had no real idea about what I wanted to do. I was just applying for any job that would take me, and figured something would come up,” Connor says.

At an interview, Connor was told about the Citi New Recruits Program. Having never been employed before, he saw the program as a valuable experience that would look good on his resume and open up job opportunities, so he signed up.

“I found the program incredibly helpful,” Connor says, “it taught me a range of important skills and gave me more confidence when going in for a job – it was really worth my time.”

One year on, the 20 year-old Berwick resident is thriving as a parks and gardens apprentice at Haileybury College in Keysborough.

And just last week he was announced as one of four scholarship winners on 11 July who will travel to Sydney for a cultural and career development experience for a week.

“I was very surprised but also excited because it’ll give me a good opportunity to expand my knowledge on what I’m currently learning at TAFE and work,” says Connor.

“It’ll be a good opportunity for me to branch out from what I normally do day-today. I think it’ll be really beneficial to help out with my apprenticeship.”

The Citi Foundation scholarships are awarded to young people who have completed a three-week Citi New Recruits job-readiness program and have since excelled in their traineeship.

Connor plans to finish his Certificate III in Parks and Gardens at Holmesglen TAFE in Glen Waverley, then upskill further so he can become a qualified gardener and landscaper.

While Connor says “gardening was the furthest thing from my mind when I graduated”, over the past year he says he has grown to love it.

“I find it therapeutic in a way. I like to work with my hands and love working outside in the sun, rather than stressing out behind a desk.”

By Reuben Armstrong, ago