Training for success

By Angela Ivey
FORMER Puffing Billy volunteer Adam Taylor has been named as one of the finalists for the 2006 Victorian Training Awards.
Mr Taylor has been working at Stage One Productions in Port Melbourne as an engineer since June.
He currently works on robotic mechanisms that go inside the Myer Christmas window characters.
Mr Taylor was a volunteer for three years at Puffing Billy where he undertook his certificate three in engineering.
Mr Taylor said being an engineer is something he has always wanted to do.
“It’s fantastic, challenging and I have loved every minute of it,” he said.
Working with his hands and creating things from nothing has led him to looking at setting up his own business.
Mr Taylor said being nominated for the award has given him a self-esteem boost as he has been recognised for what he has learnt.
If Mr Taylor wins, he will use the money for his business. He hopes that it will set him up for the rest of his life.
“$10,000 can go a long way,” Mr Taylor said.
Education Minister Lynne Kosky congratulated all finalists and said the awards celebrate the achievements of apprentices, trainees, teachers, businesses and training bodies in Victoria’s world-class vocational education and training system.
“These finalists show that vocational education is a partnership that works best when individuals, training providers, industry specialists and businesses collaborate to keep training relevant, rigorous and responsive to industry needs,” she said.
More than 850 guests and dignitaries will applaud the Victorian Training Award winners at a gala dinner at Melbourne’s Crown Palladium on Monday, 31 July.
Mr Taylor is up against some tough competition including Kevin Baker, who is a GM Holden fourth-year apprentice, Ben Scoble, who studied certificate three in horticulture, and Blake Shinn who has a certificate in horse racing.
Prizes for some of the award categories include a $10,000 study and professional development fellowship.
Finalists in the student categories each receive $500 in recognition of their achievements.
Ms Kosky said the State Government supports the vocational education and training sector as part of its efforts to boost the skills of the Victorian workforce and develop the economy.