St Patrick’s Technical College Class of 2014 graduates, Samantha Dougherty (Hair & Beauty), Mason Browning (Electrotechnology), Jarrod Morton (Applied Engineering) and Reid McEntee (Automotive) have been awarded Australian Vocational Student Prizes for 2014 by the Australian Government today.
In addition, Jarrod Morton has been awarded the 2014 Australian Award for Skills Excellence in School, Electro-Comms Industry.
The Australian Vocational Student Prize recognises the achievements of students who completed their senior secondary studies while undertaking vocational education and training while at school or in a School-based Apprenticeship. Winners of the Australian Vocational Student Prize receive a certificate and $1000.
Schools are limited to four nominees for these prestigious awards with St Patrick’s one of only two schools receiving four awards in SA and the only non-government school to do so.
The Australian Award for Skills Excellence in School provides further recognition of the determination and commitment required to achieve outstanding outcomes in while completing a vocational qualification at school, along with involvement in the community and leadership qualities. Winners of an Australian Award for Skills Excellence in School receive an additional certificate.
Formerly known as the Prime Minister’s Award for Skills Excellence, this an extremely sought after prize with only one award conferred nationally in each industry category. This is the second time a St Patrick’s student has received this award with Jesse Passon (’08 Electrotechnology) receiving the prize in the same industry category in 2009.
2014 Winner Profiles
Samantha Dougherty (20, Elizabeth Downs) is an apprentice hairdresser with Creations Hair & Beauty at Elizabeth Park. Sam was the recipient of the 2014 Max Davids Award for Apprentice of the Year at St Patrick’s Technical College as well as the winner of the College’s Hair & Beauty Apprentice of the Year award.
Mason Browning (18, Valley View) is an apprentice electrician at ASC Shipbuilding, Osborne. Mason was a nominee for the 2014 SA Training Awards, School-based Apprentice of the Year category and received the St Patrick’s Technical College Electrotechnology Apprentice of the Year Award last year.
Jarrod Morton (18, Greenwith) is an electrical apprentice with PEER VEET, hosted with Ben Thomson Electrical. Jarrod received the 2014 Principal’s Award for Student of the Year at St Patrick’s Technical College along with the Applied Engineering Student of the Year prize and Long Tan Award for Leadership & Teamwork. Jarrod received the National Electrical & Communications Association (NECA) 2014 National School Student Award for Commitment to Industry and was a nominee for the 2015 SA Training Awards, School-based Apprentice of the Year category.
Reid McEntee (18, Nailsworth) is an apprentice diesel mechanic with Cavpower at Enfield and received the 2014 St Patrick’s Technical College Automotive Student of the Year Award at last year’s Class of 2014 Graduation Dinner at the Adelaide Convention Centre.