Six apprentices at CitiPower and Powercor, a Victorian electricity distribution business, have been recognised for their commitment, skills and outstanding work in an award ceremony celebrating the best apprentices from across the business.
The annual CitiPower and Powercor awards event also marked the graduation of 23 apprentices.
Among the winners was Ballarat’s Jack Molik who received the Dale Shorter Memorial Award for Most Outstanding FourthYear Lineworker.
The award is named after Dale Shorter, a lineworker at the Ballarat depot who passed away from bowel cancer in 2007 at 25 years old. He began his career at Powercor at 16 years old and his brother still works for Powercor in Ballarat.
The apprentice award winners are:
Warren Woods, Colac – Southern – Most Outstanding Apprentice
Brodie Peters, Mildura – Western – Most Outstanding Apprentice
Josh Beckman, Ardeer – Central – Most Outstanding Apprentice
Brayden Strauss, Cobram – Northern – Most Outstanding Apprentice
Jessica Challis, Ardeer – EP&T (Electrical Plant and Test) – Most Outstanding Apprentice
Jack Molik, Ballarat – Dale Shorter Memorial Award Most Outstanding 4th Year Apprentice
Paul Montalto, a cable jointer at the Ardeer depot, was awarded the Ron Warburton Memorial Award for Mentor of the Year.
CitiPower and Powercor’s Head of Field Services, Ross Young, said the awards were about recognising outstanding apprentices as well as the role of mentors and senior leaders in developing the next generation of lineworkers, cable jointers, meter technicians and electrical fitters.
“These award recipients have demonstrated excellence in their work performance, are role models of health, safety and leadership and have contributed significantly to the business,” Mr Young said.
“We have maintained our commitment over the past 18 years in our future workforce through the apprentice and trainee program, and our graduate engineering program.
“One of the most important aspects of our apprentice and trainee program is ensuring our most experienced workforce are engaged to mentor and instruct new apprentices, and to educate them about the culture and expectations of our business.”
Last year, CitiPower and Powercor received 574 applications for seven apprenticeship positions, with the program delivered in partnership with Chisholm TAFE. Since 2001, the networks have recruited over 412 apprentices and trainees.
