Photo: John Panlook accepts his Award
Photo: Anne Martin accepts her Award
VACC has congratulated winners at the 2009 Victorian Training Awards.
Minister for Skills and Workforce Participation, Jacinta Allan, presented the Awards which recognise the achievements of Victorian students, teachers, training providers and employers who are leading the way in skills development.
John Panlook, a VACC Board of Management Member, and owner of Wodonga Auto Centre, received the Small Business of the Year Award for achieving excellence in providing training to its employees.
Wodonga Auto Centre employs an apprentice every second year. To date, fourteen apprentices have come through the doors with some becoming permanent members of staff.
“Our ethos is to provide continuous training. The Automotive Industry is constantly evolving and it is important to keep up to date with the latest technology.
“Putting an apprentice on just to fill a gap is not beneficial to anyone. But if you can assist an apprentice to work to the best of their ability, your business will prosper from it,” Mr Panlook said.
Anne Martin, principal of Hallam Senior College, received the VET in Schools Excellence Award. VACC is assisting Hallam Senior College develop an on-site Trades Training Centre, by providing practical assistance in the design and construction of the building and then help with the development and management of the training programs. Holden has donated $100,000 worth of engines, parts and supplies.
“The Award acknowledges that we are one of the top schools in the State for Vocational Education Training and acknowledges the work we are doing at the school,” Ms Martin said.
“The Trades Training Centre further acknowledges that we are serious about the delivery of training packages and that those packages will be closer to industry standards,” said Ms Martin.
“VACC congratulates Wodonga Auto Centre and Hallam Senior College on their Victorian Training Awards. They thoroughly deserve to be recognised as major contributors to future skills training,” VACC Executive Director, David Purchase, said.