BOOLEROO Centre District School’s Alistair Keller has been awarded the Australian school-based apprentice of the year at the recent Australian Training Awards, following on his win at the South Australian awards.
The win wraps up quite a week for the 18-year old who was part of South Australian contingent show-casing some Merino sheep to Prince Charles during the Royal visit in Sydney, then a few days later was named the nation’s top school-based apprentice in Melbourne.
He was stoked to achieve the awards and said it was a week he would “never forget”.
He embarked on his school-based apprenticeship Year 10 and has nearly completed his Certificate III in Agriculture through farming employer Rowdy Bastian, Melrose, and training provider Regional Skills Training, with the support of apprenticeship broker Harry Moate.
With year 12 all done and dusted he is looking toward next year where he hopes to continue in the agricultural industry, and is considering working on a pastoral property.
Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills Tom Kenyon said the South Australian finalists represented at the national awards this year highlighted the high quality, innovation and excellence of the State’s training sector.
“Our success at these prestigious awards each year continues to highlight the diversity and depth of our training talent. Their achievements are a tribute to the high standards we continue to maintain in the sector,” Mr Kenyon said.
“Many of our individual finalists are already planning to continue their study and have the drive and ambition to achieve higher level qualifications and key industry skills. Skills for All is providing opportunities for more South Australians to get the skills they need for jobs now and in the future.”
