Lifetime involvement for Martin

Queensland panel beater Lawrie Martin has been recognised for his work within the panel beating sector, having spent more than 25 years in the industry since starting his apprenticeship aged 16.
Martin was a finalist in the 2009 Minister's Awards for Excellence for Employers of Australian Apprentices, presented by Minister for Education, Julia Gillard.
He has gone from an apprentice panel beater to become general manager of a large collision repair business and then chairman of the first Australian Technical College established in Townsville.
He is presently a director at the Townsville Centre for Employment, Industry Development and Innovation within the Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation
Along the way, Martin has had a vast range of roles in the Australian apprenticeships field, including work as a volunteer. He has travelled internationally to promote the Australian Quality Training Framework and remains committed to training and development.
Gillard congratulated the winners of the 2009 awards which awarded the top employers who have employed and trained apprentices to build their businesses and address skills shortages in local communities in a ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra.
She said maintaining a strong apprenticeship system is crucial to ensuring that we can take advantage of the opportunities that economic recovery will bring.
"The investment in skills that employers make today will yield dividends for themselves, their apprentices and the nation into the future," she said.
"The availability and quality of care and mentoring during an apprenticeship is of enormous importance and is one of the strategies needed to lift completion rates for Australian Apprenticeships. Employers like the award winners are providing a learning environment that will produce highly qualified and motivated future employees."
She highlighted the Rudd Government's committed to working with employers through $3.8 billion in top be spent over the next four years.
Martin was a finalist in the The Minister's Award for Commitment to Australian Apprenticeships which recognises the lifetime achievements of an individual who has completed an apprenticeship or traineeship, continued to work in the trade and is now involved in training Australian Apprentices as part of their business or employment.
The award was won by Jean Dupavillon, Opus International, who started his drafting apprenticeship with engineering firm Tierney and Partners and has continued with the company through the merging with Opus International.