** CLASS OF 2021 – NATHANIEL WALKER **

Congratulations to Nathaniel Walker on winning the School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year at the 2021 Victorian Apprenticeship Awards, presented by the Apprenticeship Employment Network (AEN) and the Global Apprenticeship Network (GAN).

Nathaniel was presented the award at a ‘catch up’ gala dinner at The Pavilion, Arts Centre Melbourne, on Wednesday 16 February. The ‘catch-up’ awards dinner, rescheduled due to the pandemic, celebrated the dedication and achievements of apprentices and trainees, GTOs and businesses committed to the development of apprentices and trainees. The night represented eleven group training organisations (GTOs) and was attended by thirty-nine finalists, industry leaders and special guests from Department of Education and Skills, Apprenticeships Victoria, Jobs Victoria, the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, WorldSkills Australia and the Victorian TAFE Association.

The awards span from outstanding commitments to studies at school and in the workplace to the significant contribution and performance of women, Indigenous representatives, people with a disability in trades, and the achievement of overcoming challenges to the contribution of making the workplace a safer environment.

These awards celebrate the ways that all apprenticeships and traineeships develop the work-ready skills needed to pursue professional, rewarding careers.

In response to the short-term impacts of COVID-19 in 2021, guests commended all finalists of the 2021 apprenticeship awards, and their employers who have shown great resilience, initiative, and ability to thrive in their industries, with support of their local group training organisations.

Nathaniel was selected from the thousands of trainees and apprentices across Victoria and was nominated by his group training, BGT Jobs & Training. Nathaniel completed a Certificate II in Landscaping school-based traineeship program in 2021.  BGT Employment Services Manager, Troy Westblade said “We had nominated Nathaniel for the school-based trainee of the year, and we were very pleased that on the night he was announced to have won that category. Nathaniel gave an amazing speech on the night, in which he thanks both BGT and Ballarat Christian College for the opportunity”.

During his time at Ballarat Christian College Nathaniel completed units in the Certificate II in Building & Construction before graduating Year 12. Congratulations Nathaniel on such a wonderful achievement and for recognition of all your hard work.