An employee from Bundaberg Regional Council has won the Australian Apprentice (Trainee) of the Year.
Ben Nedwich joined Council in November 2014 as a Business Administration Trainee and is currently the Integrated Management System Support Officer.
He was presented with the Award at the 2016 Australian Training Awards at the Darwin Convention Centre in November 2016.
He also won the gold medal for Business Services in World Skills Australia in October, after winning the event for the local region in 2016.
“These awards highlight how even the smallest opportunities an employer offers can turn into a huge moment in an employee’s life,” Ben said.
“My traineeship saw me involved in organisation-wide projects, receive a Sunrise Rotary TAFE Queensland East Coast Overall Student of the Year award, attend a Rotary Youth Leadership Award program, coach at Police-Citizens Youth Clubs (PCYC) State Youth Leadership Programs, compete at the World Skills Competition Business Services Australian Championships and now win the Queensland Trainee of the Year 2016.
“It also gave me the skill set to feel confident in joining both Bundaberg Rotaract, Bundaberg and Region Youth Council and to step up as Youth Delegate for the Bundaberg PCYC.
“Council has fully supported me in all my endeavours and as a trainee they fostered hands-on learning that has lead from one opportunity to another.”
Ben said he was humbled by the support he had received from friends, family, colleagues and training institutions.
Bundaberg Regional Council Governance and Communications portfolio spokesperson Councillor Helen Blackburn said Council was proud to be able to offer training and qualification opportunities to residents like Ben.
“As one of the region’s largest employers, we have a responsibility to provide training opportunities in a range of fields which promote the development of our community’s skilled workforce,” Cr Blackburn said.
“Ben is a fantastic example of how this commitment can result in a win for the region, a win for Council and a win for the individual. We are very pleased to have Ben as a permanent staff member following his exceptional experience as a trainee.”
