Youth training schemes lauded

The Kwinana Industries Council has scooped two prestigious international and State awards in the past fortnight.

KIC represent companies and organisations in the Kwinana Industrial Area and have much-lauded training and apprenticeship schemes.

KIC received first in the Youth Employability Skills section at the Global Best Awards for its education development program.

Director Chris Oughton was on hand in Oslo, Norway, to receive the award.

“Our program is about industry working with community to show our high school students that they can aspire to careers in big industry,” he said.

“This award is a great endorsement of the work we have been doing with all 20 of the high schools in our region and of the commitment KIC member companies have been making to introduce students in our community to the vast range of careers industry has to offer them.”

Rockingham Senior High School principal Kerry Chipchase said KIC’s award was much deserved.

“This award is outstanding recognition for the school industry partnership that our schools very much value,” she said.

“The students and staff from the 20 schools involved have gained so much from the educational program offerings that have been made available to them.”

KIC also won the WA Industry Collaboration Award at the WA Training Awards last Friday night.

Mr Oughton said it was great to receive recognition.

“We have a fabulous program and we at KIC, along with our members are very proud of what we have achieved,” he said.

South Metropolitan TAFE and Civmec Construction were also successful at the State awards, being named the Large Training Provider of the Year and WA Employer of the Year.