General News
20 September, 2020
Atherton Student wins regional apprenticeship award
A student from Atherton has won a regional award for best school-based apprentice or trainee of the year.
A student from Atherton has won a regional award for best school-based apprentice or trainee of the year.
Bryce Cummings from Atherton State High School has been completing his year 12 studies three days a week while at the same time studying as an electrical apprentice two days a week at Jason Cummings Electrical Service (JCES) in Atherton.
On September 11 Bryce was named the regional winner for the School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the year at the Queensland Training Awards.
“Kylie Coleman the VET co-ordinator at Atherton High school suggested I nominate for the Queensland Training Awards,” Bryce said.
“From there I was nominated in the top 5 in the Far North region and then I found out I was the overall winner for the region and now I move up into the state training awards.”
Bryce will finish school in a few weeks and said that it’s a relief to know that he is going straight into employment after school during these uncertain times.
“When I graduate from year 12, I will already be equivalent to a second-year apprentice,” he said.
“When I found out that I could be a school-based apprentice I thought it was great getting the best of both worlds as I could get a head start on my career.
“I did work experience in a few different industries and through a matter of elimination I worked out what sort of work I wanted to do.
“I decided that I wanted to be an electrician because I love the type of work we do and I love the scope of the work that I can experience.”
Bryce’s supervisor at JCES, Blaire Duesbury said that Bryce was an asset to the company “He came in and did some work experience with us and then joined us during his school holidays and then he decided that he wanted to do a school-based apprenticeship,” he said.
“He is always keen and eager to learn and lend a hand; he is very handy to have around.”
Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman said while this year’s event was unlike past celebrations, it continued to recognise the highest achieving individuals, organisations and projects in Queensland’s training system.
“These awards shine a spotlight on our top achievers in training from across the state and it’s fantastic to announce the regional winners in the Queensland Training Awards,” Ms Fentiman said.
“I congratulate our winners and finalists from more than 700 nominations across a broad range of skills and industries from seven Queensland regions.
“And all of them play an important role in ensuring we have the skilled workforce needed for the jobs now and into the future."
