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2021 AGWA Apprentice Awards
2021 AGWA NATIONAL APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR
MICHAEL O’ROURKE, Protec Aluminium & Glazing, Lidcombe TAFE
Michael O'Rourke - 2021 AGWA National Apprentice of the Year
Michael works at Protec Aluminium and Glazing in Milperra, and attends Lidcombe TAFE where he is the current TAFE NSW Glass and Glazing Apprentice of the year. He has shown great leadership skills and has a great attendance record. Michael was inspired to join Protec four years ago, after growing up in the industry with his father being a master glazier. Working at Protec has allowed him to learn all aspects of glass and he has become an important part of the team and a highly skilled tradesman.
Winner
+ AGWA National Apprentice of the Year 2021
+ AGWA New South Wales Apprentice of the Year 2021
+ AGWA New South Wales Commercial Apprentice Award 2021
2021 AGWA STATE APPRENTICES OF THE YEAR
The Apprentice of the Year Awards are presented to third or fourth year apprentices who are able to demonstrate a high level of capability and consistently demonstrate quality workmanship.
Tasmania
DANIEL GOFTON, Kingborough Glazing, TasTAFE
Daniel Gofton - 2021 AGWA Joint Tasmania Apprentice of the Year
Daniel works at Kingborough Glazing, Huntingfield, and studied at TasTAFE. Growing up in the glass and glazing industry, Daniel was naturally attracted to the architectural use of glass and the diversity of the industry - offering so many opportunities for the use of different skills. In his studies, Daniel showed a natural ability to grasp new ideas quickly and to be highly productive while keeping safety at the forefront. He has completed courses on AS 1288 and AS 2047, and most recently he completed AGWA’s Intermediate Fenestration course and became a Foundation Glazier with AGWA. Daniel always produces high quality work and has received excellent feedback from customers. He displays high leadership skills and has the ability to share his ideas and offer alternatives. His employers see him becoming an important presence in the glass and glazing industry.
Winner
+ AGWA Joint Tasmania Apprentice of the Year 2021
+ AGWA Tasmania Residential Apprentice Award 2021
IVAN SALTER, Hobart Glass & Aluminium, TasTAFE
Ivan Salter - 2021 AGWA Joint Tasmania Apprentice of the Year
Ivan works for Hobart Glass and Aluminium, Derwent Park, and attends TasTAFE. Ivan first joined the industry after responding to an ad at the end of school. He was pleasantly surprised that there was more to the industry than installing glass and repairing breaks. He has done very well at TAFE and shows a great dedication to study, as well as the ability to pick up new concepts quickly. He has also taken on a mentoring role. This ability to learn quickly has become an asset in his employment where he has become highly respected and delivers a high standard of work.
Winner
+ AGWA Joint Tasmania Apprentice of the Year 2021
Western Australia
ZAK TANNER, Guthrie Glass & Aluminium, North Metropolitan TAFE
Zak Tanner - 2021 AGWA Western Australia Apprentice of the Year
Zak works for Guthrie Glass and Aluminium in Kelmscott, Western Australia, and attends North Metropolitan TAFE. He was drawn to glazing from his first day of work experience at school. He liked that it involved attention to detail and that it was hands-on. He is a true leader within his TAFE course and does excellent work in both theory and practical studies. He has shown great commitment to his work as well as a great attitude. His employers are certain that he will become a fantastic tradesperson as he is a quick learner and works well with others in the team.
Winner
+ AGWA Western Australia Apprentice of the Year 2021
+ AGWA Western Australia Commercial Apprentice Award 2021
2021 AGWA STATE APPRENTICE AWARDS
Rising Stars
NEW SOUTH WALES
TUAFALE AIOMALAGA, Evolution Window Systems, Lidcombe TAFE
Tuafale works for Evolution Windows, St Mary’s, and studies at Lidcombe TAFE. Tuafale became interested in glass and glazing through his Metal and Engineering class at school. He accepted a job at Evolution and was soon rewarded with an apprenticeship. He is always very enthusiastic and keen to learn as much as possible. Tuafale has a good grasp of manufacturing, paperwork, fabricating reports and drawings. He shows both intelligence and flexibility in his work and is an excellent representative of the company.
QUEENSLAND
ZANDER CANNON, Coast & Hinterland Glass & Aluminium, Gimbal Training
Zander works for Coast and Hinterland Glass and Aluminium, Caloundra West, and studies at Gimbal Training. Since he was a young boy playing with Lego, Zander has always enjoyed working with his hands. The sense of achievement at creating things drew him to a job he saw advertised. After doing some research on CHGA, Zander realised this was the ideal job and industry for him. He was also awarded Employee of the Year. In his studies, Zander has shown a ‘can do’ attitude and a passion for what he does that is rare in a young person. He is a fast learner and will try his hand at anything. His employers say that he excels at every task, and this has earned him involvement in projects that a first/second year apprentice normally wouldn’t be involved in. Zander shows problem solving skills, attention to detail and uses initiative that is about 6-12 months ahead of his other first year colleagues.
TASMANIA
KAYDEN BREMNER, Woodhouse Glass & Glazing, TasTAFE
Kayden works for Woodhouse Glass and Glazing, Ulverstone, and studies at TasTAFE. He was drawn to the industry after doing work experience at school and realised there was such a wide variety of products. He is a very good student with an excellent work ethic. He takes pride in his work and always follows WHS, reminding others to do the same. His employers also love his work ethic, saying he is never idle. He has the ability to see what needs to be done without having to be told. He has great attention to detail and has impressed everyone.
VICTORIA
EHAB KHANYARI, Merri Aluminium & Auto Doors, Holmesglen Institute of TAFE
Ehab works for Merri Aluminium and Auto Doors, Warrnambool, and studies at Holmesglen TAFE. A variety of work attracted Ehab to the industry when he started with Merri at 16 years of age. He loves that he learns something new every day. He is a very good student, who shows motivation and self-management and never shies away from errors, which he sees as an ability to learn and grow. Ehab’s employers believe he shows maturity, with attention to detail and a fantastic work ethic that will see him as a potential leader of the future. He has become an important part of the team and they are proud of him and excited for his win.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
HARLEM STIRLING, Jason Windows, North Metropolitan TAFE
Harlem works for Jason Windows, Welshpool, and studies at North Metropolitan TAFE. He was drawn to the industry because it is constantly evolving - there is always something new to learn and it offers a very exciting future. In his studies, Harlem is very diligent and works to complete tasks at a very high level while still working to time. His employers say he aligns perfectly to their core values of teamwork, trust, taking responsibility and total commitment. He has a willingness to learn and has become the apprentice that others ask to work on their team. Jason is proud and happy to have him with them for the long term as he is mature, professional and very impressive.
Commercial Apprentices
QUEENSLAND
REECE GREEN, G.James Glass & Aluminium
Reece works for G.James Glass and Aluminium, Woodbridge, and completed his studies with them. He was always enthusiastic about learning new things and then putting them into practice. Reece started working with G.James in manufacturing, but was soon drawn to the variety and challenges in working with glass so happily accepted his apprenticeship when it was offered to him. He particularly enjoys challenging jobs and solving problems. He has a high level of concentration and application and is regularly sought after by other teams within the company. He has been highly commended by his teachers and employers.
TASMANIA
ABBY BOLT-SMITH, CWD Custom Windows, TasTAFE
Abby works for CWD Custom Windows, Derwent Park, and attends TasTAFE. Abby enjoyed both art and wood work/creative materials and this love of creativity and working with her hands drew her to a career in glazing. She enjoys working with different types of glass and different glazing systems. At TAFE she has shown excellent communication skills and promotes working safely. Her employer feels she has an excellent eye for detail, is always ready to take on new tasks and produces quality work, which has gained her respect in this male-dominated industry.
VICTORIA
HARRISON MEADE, MDMK Glass & Aluminium, Holmesglen Institute of TAFE
Harrison works at MDMK Glass and Aluminium, Yarrawonga, and attends Holmesglen TAFE. He has shown high levels of skill in the work he has done, both while at TAFE and at work. He is always well prepared for each job and keenly aware of policies and procedures. Working at MDMK has allowed him to work in both residential and commercial locations both fabricating and installing. He has become an asset to them and helps other employees who call on him. He is a self-starter and highly motivated.
Residential Apprentices
QUEENSLAND
MATTHEW JACKSON, G.James Glass & Aluminium
Matthew works with G.James Glass and Aluminium, Urangan, and also studies with them. He knew from a young age that he wanted to work with his hands and get satisfaction from seeing a finished product. He found this with the glass industry which he finds super challenging but super rewarding. He has a customer-focused attitude which shows through all the work he does. In his studies, he is an outstanding student. He is eager to participate and has excellent attention to detail. He also has an incredible work ethic, which makes him strive to the top with persistence.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
ANDREW BIGGS, Glass Co Metro, North Metropolitan TAFE
Andrew works for Glass Co Metro, Canning Vale, and studies at North Metropolitan TAFE. He has become a natural leader and was voted MVP Employee of the Year in 2020. He is a fantastic student and is able to complete all tasks on time and to a very high standard. He helps other students when he sees they need help, which his teachers appreciate very much. His employer feels that he sets the standard for all other apprentices to follow. He has a thirst for knowledge and works to the highest standard and provides valuable input into continuous improvement projects. He can keep track of multiple jobs, is dependable and a pleasure to work with.
