Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE

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Building apprentices win MBA awards

Two GOTAFE Wangaratta Campus apprentices were recognised as the two most outstanding Apprentices to qualify in 2009 for the Master Builders Association Awards held at Benalla in March.

Thomas Nieuwenhuizen of Mansfield and Damien Semmler of Wangaratta were both recognised for their excellence in a category amongst 19 other finalists for the prestigious award.

Master Builders Association representative Jarrod Flanigan said, "In addition to both Damien and Thomas's skills and TAFE performance, the Master Builders Association also recognises their excellent understanding of OHS, their value of a structured career plan and strong passion for the industry."

"They are both great role models for those entering and already in the building and construction industry. Damien and Thomas prove what can be achieved with determination and dedication to their chosen trade."

Both Thomas and Damien qualified for the Certificate III in General Construction (Carpentry-Framework/Formwork/Finishing) earlier this year.

Damien, who completed his apprenticeship with employer WR & CA Branson Builders, discovered his interest for the trade in his Year 7 Material Technology class at Galen College.

It was after he completed Year 10 he decided to pursue his passion by enrolling in a building and construction preapprenticeship at GOTAFE. "I made a commitment to work really hard in the course and it was something I really enjoyed doing," said Damien.

Damien believes it was the prepprenticeship course that provided him with the opportunity to gain his apprenticeship with WR & CA Branson Builders.

"My current employer approached my teachers at GOTAFE and they recommended me for an apprenticeship with them." Damien has aspirations to one day either own his own business or work for a big construction company locally.

At age 24 and working in the Hospitality industry, Thomas decided to pursue his long life interest in building. In his younger days Thomas had done some work labouring with his father so he had some background knowledge of the industry when he took up an apprenticeship with D & C Kynnersley in Mansfield.

Thomas believes it's important for apprentices to participate in training at trade school. "I encourage people to participate in the training at GOTAFE to learn extra things that they might not necessarily learn on the job. Some builders don't do everything, so it's important for your own sake to learn as much as you can at school."

With his wife, Thomas plans travel overseas and pick up some work on some different building sites during his travels. He then plans to start up his own business when he and his wife settle in Adelaide or Harvey Bay.

For further information about Building & Construction Apprenticeship training phone 1300 GOTAFE (1300 468 233).