Apprentice recognised with regional award
Jack Kelly claimed the Apprentice of the Year – Junior Apprentice Award and is now in the running for further honours.
Starting his studies early has paid off for Carpentry apprentice Jack Kelly.
Jack, who completed a Certificate II in Building and Construction Pre-apprenticeship (22614VIC) before progressing to the full qualification (Certificate III in Carpentry – CPC30220), was celebrated at the recent Master Builders Association of Victoria North East Region Awards Ceremony.
Reflecting on his journey so far, Jack was appreciative of the support from all areas of his life, including GOTAFE, Ovens and King Builders and his family.
“It’s been really good, it’s gone really fast but I have enjoyed my time and it’s been great learning new things,” he said.
“I actually first started in Year 10 at high school, doing a pre-apprenticeship for carpentry and finished that in Year 11 and moved on and did TAFE and my apprenticeship and finished that last year.
“(I studied) in Wangaratta, it’s a really good TAFE, (with) really good teachers, (and a) really good atmosphere.
“(Working while studying) helped heaps to understand the trade more and how to work with the tools and learn more skills with the timber, it was really good.”
Jack claimed the Apprentice of the Year – Junior Apprentice Award, highlighting his outstanding work-ethic and enthusiasm for his trade.
“It was pretty exciting news when I first heard about it,” Jack said.
“I was overseas at the time, but it was unreal coming back and hearing the great news that I actually won, put a lot of work into it in building myself and it meant a lot.”
Jack will now be in the running for the overall MBAV state awards in May.