Victorian apprentices get AAMI lift

TEN MELBOURNE APPRENTICES, covered by the AAMI Apprentice Subsidy Scheme, have successfully completed the motor body repair course, the largest number to graduate since the scheme began in l997.

Gathered at the Novotel Glen Waverly in Melbourne the awards ceremony recognised the achievements of Luke Grech, Brent Loverso, Ashley Eastwood, Geoffrey O’Keefe, Ricky Espie, Alan Collins, Ben Burton, Nick Apostolopoulos, Brett
Powell and Brock Salter. The AAMI subsidies are valued at $12,000 each for the four-year apprenticeships. They are paid to motor body repair businesses to help with the costs of employing and training apprenticeships in panel beating or spray painting.

Executive manager of AAMI, Victoria, Sue Jellie, said that it was great to see these new tradesmen being recognised for their hard work over the past four years. “AAMI relies very heavily on quality repairers and this scheme is one way we can contribute to the future wellbeing of the panel repair industry.”

The federal minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson, presented each tradesmen with a plaque to commemorate their achievements. “Apprenticeships are exceptionally important to the future of Australia and they will continue to be so which is why I am so proud to...support a scheme which goes to the heart of this matter – addressing the critical skills challenges Australia faces as it seeks to build a secure and prosperous future.”

AAMI representatives attended together with fellow apprentices, repairers, family and friends of the graduates.

Among the attendance were: Eugene McKeough, GM of Woods Accident Repair Centre, John Tabone and David Barrie, Eastland Body Repairs, Joe Loverso from RP Panels Accident Repair Centre and Max Chanter from Lemax Body Repairs, who each guided the apprentices through.

Geoff Hughes, AAMI public affairs manager said: “It is extremely gratifying to see how the demand for the scheme has grown”.