Badger Creek resident Cale Wilde has taken out Casey MP Tony Smith’s apprenticeship/trainee of the year award for 2020.
Running annually since 2009, the awards aim to recognise, reward, and encourage careers in local trades and small businesses.
Mr Wilde is an apprentice in landscape construction, who works for RB Landscapes in Kalorama.
“Anybody out there thinking of starting an apprenticeship, I highly encourage you to do so because the skills you learn will take you a long way and I’m sure they’ll be with you for life,” he said.
“Thanks very much, Tony, for putting on the awards, I’m very humbled… Thanks heaps for Richard Bellemo for giving me the opportunity to become a part of the team at RB Landscapes.”
Mr Wilde’s employer Richard Bellemo said, “These awards are very important for developing these apprentices and for developing good reliable trades people in the future.”
Gembrook resident Max Van Schilt received an encouragement award as part of the honours.
Mr Van Schilt is also a landscaping apprentice employed by Full Potential Landscapes in Healesville.
“A few years back now I’ve started a traineeship and now ive moved onto doing an apprenticeship. I’m a third year landscaper and I can’t wait to become a qualified landscape and see what the future holds for me.”
Mr Van Schilt’s employer Chris Bissels had high praise for the apprentice.
“Thank you to Max, I couldn’t think of anyone who deserves it more. Anyone who is thinking about doing a traineeship or apprenticeship I highly recommend it. It can lead into great things.”
Mr Smith congratulated the award winners as the awards were announced over Facebook.
“Despite the difficulties (of Covid-19), it is important as ever that we recognise, reward, and encourage careers in our local trades and small businesses. They are our future,” he said.
“My Casey Apprentice/Trainee of the Year Awards have been doing just this. They are judged by an independent panel of prominent local business leaders. We normally have a face to face presentation – but like most things 2020 meant a virtual announcement on Facebook.
“A big thank you to the independent judging panel chaired by Phil Munday for their dedication to these awards.”
