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Apprentices
Southern Cross Project Group currently employees over eight apprentices. The study component of the apprenticeship is one day a week at TAFE for the first three years.
| MBA Apprentice of the year |
David proves his mettle as MBA Apprentice of the Year
First year Southern Cross Constructions apprentice David Battye has proven he has what it takes to succeed in the building industry, winning the 2007 MBA Apprentice of the Year Award.
The awards were held on Saturday October 13th at the Darling Harbour Convention Centre, and David attended the night with his parents, with a number of other Southern Cross team members there to cheer him on. The cheer squad included Ross Smith, Bill Stavrinos, Guy Muriti, Ryan Wilson, Stephan Moreland, Lynette Arestides – and their partners.
David says winning the award was both “encouraging and exciting.”
“To be recognised as having worked diligently all year is a great feeling!” he says. “It means your efforts don’t go unnoticed and that you must be doing something right.”
For David, the building industry runs in the family. His sister is studying architecture, and David says he has always wanted to renovate his own home. “I preferred building to design, particularly because I would help my sister build models,” he says.
David joined Southern Cross Constructions in November 2006. “A great opportunity presented itself to work for a well respected and professional company. So I jumped at the chance.”
Since joining the company, David has worked on two Little Bay projects, Harpa and Cardita Apartments. “Starting at Cardita with no knowledge of the building industry was daunting at first. But under the guidance of some very patient people, particularly project director Ross Smith, I began to feel more and more comfortable on site,” he says.
“As an apprentice, I am here to learn and become an asset to the company and to the industry. This role entails just about any activity done on site to a certain extent.”
In addition to his on site experience, David is currently studying Ground Floor Construction as part of the Carpentry and Joinery Certificate III course he’s undertaking at Randwick TAFE. David, who describes himself as laidback, easy going and motivated, admits that building a career in the industry is what really drives him.
“The part I enjoy most about my role is the opportunity to learn about an industry that really interests me everyday, whether I am at work or at TAFE,” he says. “I love being outdoors and learning life and practical skills every day. “My ultimate aim is to be happy, to have a feeling of fulfilment after a hard week, and to be able to appreciate a well earned break now and then.” When he does take a break, David enjoys going to the beach, waterskiing, golfing, fishing and getting away from it all to the country.
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