Local apprentices are celebrating after the Automotive Industry Group – South East held their annual awards. The prestigious awards have been recognising apprentices and students undertaking training in the automotive industry since 2004.

This year the judges could not pick just one winner with Bradley Jeffery from Bettsco Earthmoving of Meningie and Patrick Hughes from Group Training Employment/OGR both named winners of the premier Automotive Apprentice of the Year award.

Nicholas Copping of Moreland Logging received The Tuffnell Memorial Award. AIG-SE Chairman Brad Wilson-Smith said all winners were nominated by their respective employers, registered training organisation, school or Australian Apprenticeship Centre.

“The purpose of the Automotive Industry Group is to aid in the training and development of automotive trainees and apprentices in the South East,” he said.

“Categories were open to full time apprentices who are currently working in the automotive industry in the Limestone Coast and there were categories open to school students undertaking training at an automotive skills centre, either in Mount Gambier, Millicent, or Bordertown or those undertaking an Australian school-based apprenticeship.

“We acknowledge the support from all our industry supporters, but a special mention must go to our gold and silver sponsors Burson Auto Parts, Mount Gambier ISUZU and IVECO, Barry Maney Group, Tuffnell family, Scania and K&S Freighters.

“We are dedicated to the advancement of youth in automotive careers and supported by an enthusiastic representation from the automotive industry and on behalf of the AIG-SE I would like to congratulate all the winners for this year.”