Aiden wins apprentice of the year

A Horsham engineering apprentice has won two major accolades at SuniTAFE graduation and awards.

“We are making sure there is plenty of space to store as much as we can”

– Carlie Ryan

Ms Ryan said in Brown’s Gypsum’s second year of operation, the team had a good year that was also educational.

“We had a bumper season, demand was up because of how much rain we had in the region last year,” she said.

“Due to a wet 2022, farmers needed gypsum to restore nutrients in their soil.

“We had a few wet days during this season where we had to close, but that’s normal.

“We had a decent year last year, but this year we have built on that and seen growth.

“We’re happy with the outcome of this season and are focused on ensuring farmers have high-quality gypsum available.”

Ms Ryan said the season concluded at the end of last week and would reopen again in October or November this year when the weather began to warm up again.

SPECIAL AWARDS: Horsham O’Connors engineering apprentice Aiden Keys won outstanding first-year apprentice and apprentice of the year at SuniTAFE awards.

Aiden Keys, 19, works at agricultural machinery dealership O’Connors, in Horsham.

He won outstanding firstyear apprentice of the year and apprentice of the year, first year, certificate iii in engineering fabrication trade.

Mr Keys said he was honoured to receive the awards.

“I was honestly amazed,” he said.

“To have been named the winner of the outstanding firstyear apprentice was very special, but to also win apprentice of the year was so exciting. I can’t believe it.”

Mr Keys said resilience, determination and a passion for learning from the ‘best in the business’ at O’Connors, had paid off.

“I’m really proud of myself. I have achieved a great deal during the past two years,” he said.

“All the hard work has been worth it. I feel like I am positioned well for a successful career in engineering and the future looks bright.”

Mr Keys said the opportunity to join O’Connors was significant and boosted his career prospects.

“I started my engineering apprenticeship at another business before I joined O’Connors,” he said.

“The level of support, the equipment, the financial assistance and mentoring I’ve received since joining O’Connors is second to none.

“I can explore all facets of engineering through my apprenticeship with O’Connors, and I am going to make the most out of it.”

Mr Keys encouraged anyone looking for an ‘exciting and rewarding’ career, who had an interest in building or working with machinery, vehicles and accessories, to consider an apprenticeship.

He said his friends had pointed him in the direction of O’Connors’ Redstart Apprenticeship program.

“If I had my time again, I would have applied for this immediately,” he said.

“There are plenty of options as part of the initiative and you will work with brilliant people.

“The support you get from the program co-ordinator, in particular, is world-class.”