Stratford District Mayor Neil Volzke and Mayors Taskforce for Jobs Stratford coordinator, Samantha Vega, recently visited local businesses to celebrate with their employees on completing trade qualifications.
Traditionally this accomplishment has been celebrated in a Trade Graduation ceremony. However, this year Mayor Volzke and Samantha took the celebrations on tour, personally visiting our local graduates in their place of work.
This included 12 Stratford businesses, 29 graduates and 4 ITOs - Careerforce, Service IQ, MITO and Primary ITO - being acknowledged for the achievements this year.
Mayor Volzke says, "Visiting workplaces this year had been very well received. It’s important to recognise the hard work, determination and dedication that goes into obtaining higher qualifications."
Corey Bennett, who completed a Level 3 Certificate in Energy and Chemical Process Operations Boiler Operations, found the certificate presentation at his workplace, Contact Energy, really valuable. "It makes it a lot more personal and gives recognition to the company who has put me through the training," he says.
Mayor Volzke says, "Success comes from not just the individual named on the certificate. Support from their employers, colleagues, ITOs, family and friends throughout their studies and practical assessments, all helps towards the final result."
"We share our thanks with the local businesses who employ these people and help to tutor them on their journey. It costs businesses to support apprentices and put staff through training but it's a great feeling to know that you have assisted someone along their career path and into our local workforce. Having good outcomes gives employers the confidence to repeat the process with new trainees on an ongoing basis, and that's a win for the whole community."
"Gaining trade qualifications helps build a skilled workforce within our district," he says. "I encourage anyone who has the opportunity to pursue a trade qualification to jump at the chance. This pathway leads to better outcomes for everyone involved. Valuable skills are obtained which meet the standards expected across our trade industries, further helping to sustain these services locally."
Click here for the full list of local 2024 Trade Graduates
