The WORKCO Limited Awards is a gala event that has been held since 1999. The Awards recognise the achievements and skills of WORKCO Limited’s apprentices and trainees as well as providing kudos to the host employers.

The presence of apprentices, trainees and their host employers at this year’s event that was held on Friday 26 October at the Horsham Sports and Community Club was a reflection of the magnitude of the skills in our region.

WORKCO Limited Chief Executive Officer John Ackland said the evening was a great night that celebrated the skills and achievements of WORKCO Limited apprentices and trainees.

“This year there was an outstanding response,” Mr Ackland said.

“Over 50 nominations were received overall and this simply emphasizes how important the Awards are, even to the host employers”.

Mr Ackland said that the host employers should be congratulated for taking the time to nominate the apprentices and trainees.

One of the highlights of the WORKCO Limited Awards was the presence of an inspirational guest speaker. This year, Greg Walcott, Community Relations Specialist of Iluka Mines spoke at the event about business growth and employment opportunities the Mining industry is creating in the region.

“WORKCO believes it is important for employers, apprentices and trainees to be aware of mining industry opportunities currently available within our local communities" Mr Ackland said.

“All WORKCO Limited apprentices and trainees should be proud of their efforts and achievements and continue to grow under the guidance of their skilled host employers,” Mr Ackland said.

Mr Ackland said that the evening was a testament to the skills in our region.

All minor category runners up and winners on the evening received a trophies and major category award winners of the event receiving a holiday to the value of $1500 supplied by event sponsor Harvey World Travel Horsham.

Group Training Innovation Program – “Skills for the Caravan Building Industry”
Proposal to increase the numbers of full time apprentices and introduce the School Based Apprenticeship Program in the Recreational Vehicle Manufacturing Industry (RVMI) in the Northern and North Western region of Melbourne.

WORKCO Limited CEO John Ackland has been awarded a fellowship of the Group Training Association of Victoria.

The Nomination highlights John’s significant contribution to the development and performance of Group Training in Victoria in at least three areas of operations, local, state and national.

At the local level John is the inaugural Manager of WORKCO Limited (originally Wimmera Grampians Group Training). He has directed and grown the company from a single employee entity to an organisation which employs some 500 employees (staff/apprentices/trainees) in the Wimmera/Grampian/Mallee regions engaging in multiple activities including recruitment, placement, labour hire, training and business development.

At a statewide level John was an inaugural member of the Group Training Association of Victoria and is one of the longest serving Board Members of the Association.

At a national level John has served several terms as the Victorian representative to the Board of the National Association.

John’s dedication and contribution working with schools and promoting VET into schools both personally himself and through the participation of his staff sees WORKCO Limited as a leader of the VETis movement in regional schools both through promotion and provision of training and work experience placements.

In 2003, Longerenong College, a local agricultural college, was faced with an uncertain future when the University of Melbourne re-evaluated its presence in regional Victoria. Demonstrating John’s belief in the VET system and comprehensive negotiations between the University, State Government and the organizations board, Longerenong College now operates under the auspice of WORKCO Limited delivering VET programs on their 1058 ha property/campus.

Johns attention to persistence, significant elements of skill, understanding of people and belief in the purpose – ie “training young people and getting them a job” supports his strong belief that “at the end of the day everything we do is to help in the employment and training of apprentices and trainees”.