Karen Bakker from Salisbury Paint and Panel, SA has nominated Kayla Cave for the Paint and Panel apprentice of the month.
Salisbury Paint and Panel owners Karen and Rick Bakker are proud of their 21-year-old apprentice who recently won the PPG National Colour Matching Competition.
Cave has petrol in her blood. When she first left school she tried her hand at what she considered to be 'girlie' jobs but hated them. Cave's dad ran a panel shop for many years and is now an insurance assessor, and her brother is a spray painter as well.
Cave always wanted to work with cars and was so keen when the Bakkers advertised for a trade assistant four years ago, that they employed her on the spot.
Her first 12 months were spent washing cars and helping with the preparation work. When the Bakkers offered Cave an apprenticeship, she jumped at the chance and is now nearing the end of her third year.
2011 has been a year of major achievements for Cave. After winning the SA colouring matching competition she went on to Sydney for the nationals and won there too. Cave's boyfriend came to Sydney to support her during the competition and proposed to her the day after she won. Cave is also a keen netball player and her team won their grand final this year.
Bakker says: “Kayla is a hard working person who is her own worst critic. She strives for perfection and always aims to finish her work to a better than new standard.”
Do you have an outstanding apprentice
that deserves recognition? Email or phone Sam Street on: 02 9213
8334, samstreet@yaffa.com.au