Ten apprentices have been selected as the 2019 Apprentice of the Year finalists by the Motor Trades Association (MTA) of Queensland.
They were chosen from over 1800 MTA Institute apprentices throughout Queensland.
The winner will be revealed at the MTA Queensland industry awards dinner on November 16 to the apprentice who has shown a dedication to learning and performed above expectations.
The Apprentice of the Year finalists include:
- Bailey Locker from T&H Service Centre, Toowoomba who recently completed AUR31116 Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Mechanical Technology apprenticeship.
- Casey Steel from MSF Sugar, Mareeba who recently completed his AUR30616 Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology apprenticeship.
- Daniel Beckham from Prochem Haulage, Mackay who is a fourth year AUR31116 Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Mechanical Technology apprentice.
- Dusty Austin from Top Two Motorcycles, Warwick who recently completed his AUR30816 Certificate III in Motorcycle Mechanical Technology.
- Jesse Weatherhead from Atherton Smash Repairs Specialists, North Mackay who is a fourth year AUR321116 Certificate III in Automotive Body Repair Technology apprentice.
- Jett Santacaterina from Vanderfield, North Mackay who is a fourth year AUR30416 Certificate III in Agricultural Mechanical Technology apprentice.
- Kade Hutchison from Noel’s Progress Road Pitstop, Wacol who is a fourth year AUR30616 Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology apprentice.
- Karl Berlin from Barambah Machinery, Murgon who recently completed his AUR30416 Certificate III in Agricultural Mechanical Technology apprenticeship.
- Kimberley Wallace from Morgan Motors, Emerald who recently completed her AUR31016 Certificate III in Sales (Parts Interpreting) apprenticeship.
- Reece Haslam from McAully’s Smash Repairs, Ipswich who is a fourth year AUR32416 Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology apprentice.
“Being named a finalist is a surprise and an awesome achievement and I would love to win, of course,” Wallace, a finalist from Morgan Motors says.
“It is extra special as a female. You don’t see a lot of girls doing this and I feel that if I do win, then it might encourage more females into the industry. I think that they are out there and want to do it but are a little scared. But if boys can do it, we can too!”
MTA Queensland group chief executive Brett Dale says the award announcement is the highlight of the industry awards dinner.
“It’s an absolute pleasure to be able to acknowledge and celebrate the enormous achievement of these outstanding apprentices.”
“I am thrilled to see apprentices from regional and metropolitan Queensland in the running as well as a cross section of automotive qualifications.”
Reece Haslam from McAully’s Smash Repairs is proud to be a finalist and was surpsied to be nominated.
“However, should I win I would like to think I could use that to encourage more kids to come into the trades,” Haslam says.
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