The Schiavello Apprenticeship Program received a boost recently with nine apprentices receiving recognition at the Master Builders Association of Victoria Apprentice of the Year Awards.
The Master Builders Awards recognise apprentices for their workmanship, work ethic, career and study achievements, communication, team and leadership skills, awareness of workplace health and safety issues, and extracurricular activities.
Schiavello, one of Australia’s largest designers and manufacturers of commercial furniture, and leading interior construction specialist has established a dedicated onsite apprentice training facility at its headquarters in Tullamarine, Victoria. Developed and implemented in conjunction with Victoria University, the program offers relevant and responsive training to improve the connection between on and off the job training. It also provides the required apprenticeship training for the carpentry and joinery trade qualification.
In addition to supporting Schiavello apprentices, the program extends its facilities, tools and program to apprentices from the local community.
Victoria University teacher, Nick Del Grosso has worked closely with Schiavello and their apprentices for over twenty years. He now manages and delivers the training at the Schiavello training centre. According to Del Grosso, Schiavello’s commitment to skills development in the industry has been unwavering since the beginning and the nine individuals honoured in this year’s awards are a testament to the strength of the program and the level of excellence upheld by the company.
Schiavello apprentice Robert Kenney received three awards including Apprentice of the Year in the Off-Site Construction (Joinery) category. Certificates of merit were awarded to Jesse Burchat, Khang Le, Donald McLaren, John Au, Ben Caplan, Tein Dat Le, Oliver Chu, and Robert Gill.
Schiavello Managing Director, Peter Schiavello comments that the company feels it’s profoundly important to invest in the future of the industry, and to support the development of its people.
In addition to the recent awards received by Schiavello apprentices, the company itself was awarded Apprentice Employer of the Year by the Master Builders Association in 2012.
