2024 Support for AEN WA
Vocational Service Director Kay Durrant shared how in 2020 she saw potential to expand our impact and deepen our connection with the community through creative mentoring and vocational support. In addition to providing financial support, it was also about fostering meaningful connections, addressing community needs and championing diversity and inclusion.
Over several years the club has instigated support sponsorship of the annual Apprentice Employment Network of WA Awards for Excellence. The club's Vocational assesment team works tirelessly to identify deserving individuals through a detailed matrix of criteria. The Karrinyup Rotary awards benefit worthy students and assist them in providing necessary equipment, as they start their careers. To date, Karrinyup Rotary has contributed $12,000 to support apprentices and trainees, helping them invest in tools and resources to build their careers. These are not just financial contributions but stepping stones that empower them to thrive in their chosen vocations. This year the club provided Special Recognition Awards to ten outstanding AEN Awards finalists as assessed for special recognition by the team.
Kay then introduced, one of the recipients, Lucia Cutri, who was able to join us. Lucia completed a Certificate III in Business at Statewide Bearings through MIGAS training. She is currently pursuing a Certificate IV in HR Management, as part of her two-year traineeship. Following this, she seeks to pursue a Diploma. Lucia chose the HR pathway for its dynamic and people-entered environment, where she can apply her passion for hands-on learning. She has put her award funding towards the purchase of a laptop computer. Despite challenges related to her ADHD and Specific Learning Disorder, Lucia remains resilient and determined to succeed, always seeking to be the best version of herself.
To enable a different perspective, Kay introduced Vanessa Hayes representing Electrical Group Training (EGT) Perth. She explained that group training organisations (GTOs) hire apprentices and trainees and place them with host employers. They take on employer responsibilities so the host employer can can get on with running the business. Electrical Group Training (EGT) is the largest employer of electrical apprentices in Western Australia. EGT's apprentices are amongst the safest and best trained in the electrotechnology industry. Their scope encompasses all aspects of electrical work. Vanessa was happy to answer a number of questions from the members.
It was great this year to hear from both a trainee and a representative of a group training organisation covering the different aspects of the program.