$2,000 study grant win for top aviation trainee

$2,000 study grant win for top aviation trainee

The hard work and commitment of a group of star trainees was recognised at a glittering awards ceremony last night, with an Air New Zealand trainee engineer taking the top prize and $2,000 towards his studies.

The winners of the second annual A+ Awards were announced at an event at Te Papa in Wellington on Friday evening.

The awards are presented by the Aviation Tourism and Travel Training organisation in conjunction with each sector’s industry body. They are to recognise trainees who have made an extra commitment to complete training, while making a valuable contribution and inspiring others within their workplaces.

The winners of each category, who each received a carved stone taonga, were:

· Museums Aotearoa Trainee of the year: Angela English, Lakes District Museums

· AIA Aviation Trainee of the year: Michael Short, Air New Zealand

· ATTTO Aviation Service Excellence Award: Ralph Fegan, Wanaka Airport

· TAANZ Travel Trainee of the Year: Joyce Raven, APX Travel Palmerston North Hospital

· TIANZ Tourism Trainee of the Year: Rachel Holland, i-SITE Marlborough

ATTTO announced Michael Short, Aircraft Maintenance Engineer with Air New Zealand in Auckland as the winner of its Supreme Award. He will receive $2,000 to further his study and the A+ Supreme Winner trophy.

Kathy Wolfe, Chief Executive of ATTTO, said: “The winners and finalists from across our sectors have all shown the importance of vocational training to our industries, and the difference it can make to individuals as well as to businesses.

“These are busy times across all our sectors, and we have to remember that completing a qualification while working takes dedication and hard work. All of our finalists should be very proud of their achievements.

“The A+ Awards showcase the diverse backgrounds and stories of people involved in industry training. Tonight’s finalists are all the kind of capable and talented individuals our industries need to grow and prosper.

“Their stories also illustrate that having clear vocational pathways to attract talent and energy into our sectors is a key part of ensuring a sustainable future for our sectors and this nation’s economy.”

Michael was chosen for showing an incredible commitment to his ATTTO qualification, completing it well within duration and to an extremely high standard at the same time as undertaking wider study.

After accepting the award, Michael said he would use it to help complete the advanced studies he was undertaking.

He said: “It’s great to be acknowledged in this way. When you’re down working on the workshop floor you never think you’ll be given this kind of recognition, but it’s really great that ATTTO gives the opportunity for the work of trainees to be highlighted.

“It’s great for people at our level to be awarded, it’s a great tradition and I hope it continues with the new organisation.”

ENDS

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