Mark Vender
Air conditioning and refrigeration apprentice Jennah Halley has taken out the Apprentice of the Year award at the Australian Training Awards.
The nation’s best apprentices, students, training providers, teachers and businesses were recognised for their hard work and dedication at the annual Australian Training Awards presentation, held in Adelaide at the Adelaide Convention Centre on November 18.
Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor hosted the event and praised the winners and the 75 finalists from all over Australia for their dedication.
“The awards focus not only on the students, trainees and apprentices, but all those people and organisations such as schools, training organisations and employers, who work hard to provide their support and expertise,” O’Connor said.
“Highlighted in these awards are everyday people doing extraordinary things. They underpin the success of our VET system and their stories are inspirational.”
The Apprentice of the Year Award is presented to an Australian apprentice who has been outstanding in all aspects of their trade. Halley’s win marks the first time a refrigeration and air conditioning apprentice has won the award in more than 15 years.
Halley’s training journey started when her brother, also a refrigeration technician, asked her to help out a few hours a week. From there, she grew a keen interest in the industry.
She says that winning the award gave her a big sense of achievement.
“I just found a job I love and my hard work and dedication was recognised, which is an awesome feeling,” she says.
Halley admits that there were challenges on the way to completing her apprenticeship.
“Returning to work as a single parent of four was one for sure,” she says. “The juggle was real! Returning to study after so long, too. Owning my confidence in my ability is something I challenge every day, wanting to succeed and learn more.”
But Halley says there were also many highlights.
“Leading a massive project from estimation to handover this year was up there,” she says. “My team was awesome.
“And I was extremely proud the day I completed capstone, finding out I was the only female to ever complete refrigeration at TAFE Queensland in Cairns. Then, of course, to be nominated for this award by my TAFE teacher back at the start of the year.”
Although Halley may be the only female refrigeration technician to have completed a Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration in Cairns, that’s something she’s hoping to help change.
“It’s opened up a lot of opportunities to not only talk about our trade but hopefully encourage others too,” she says.
As for future plans, Halley says she still has a lot to learn.
“I’m just taking it as it comes really,” she says. “Every job is different and being able to see things through to completion is fulfilling and another aspect learnt. I’m currently studying electrotechnology and business to increase my responsibilities and capabilities.
“After that, I haven’t really thought. I’m fortunate to have found great role models and support so anything is possible.”
Winners, runners-up and finalists of the Australian Training Awards go on to join the exclusive Australian VET Alumni program, where members share success stories to help other people understand the benefits of VET.
A video of Halley talking about her apprenticeship can be found here.
More information about the Australian Training Awards can be found at the awards website.
Image courtesy of the Australian Training Awards.
Leave a Reply