Apprentice wins scholarship support

A NOBLE Park apprentice supporting three siblings has received a Sandra George Manufacturing Industry Scholarship.
South East Melbourne Manufacturers’ Alliance (SEMMA) awarded two of the scholarships at its Christmas Cocktail Evening at The Drum on 13 December.
They’re designed to provide financial assistance to passionate people who need help to pursue a manufacturing-related course at Chisholm Institute of TAFE.
Chea Nang has just completed the first year of an Engineering Fabrication Certificate III at Chisholm TAFE Dandenong and is in the first year of his welding apprenticeship at RJB Industries in Dandenong.
Nang, 18, came to Australia from Cambodia as a refugee, has two sisters and a brother to support – one at TAFE and two at secondary school – works seven days a week, and wants to someday start his own welding business.
The other recipient, Alexander Wall, has completed an Advanced Diploma in Mechatronics and will start an engineering degree in 2013.
The 20-year-old had a motorbike accident in 2008 that caused a severe brain injury.
He had to learn to walk, talk, breathe and eat again and doctors initially predicted he would spend the rest of his life in a nursing home.
He proved them wrong after considerable rehabilitation, and earlier this year worked for SEMMA member Linak Australia on a six-month engineering project, receiving glowing reports on his general engineering and design capabilities.
Alex also donates his time to The Alfred hospital mentoring young accident victims.
Chisholm Institute director John McKay congratulated the pair and announced his retirement.
He joined Chisholm in 2008 and played a key role in implementing the Bachelor of Engineering Technology last year.
He said it was one of the few TAFE degrees in Australia.
“I’m proud of that,” he said.
SEMMA executive officer Paul Dowling also spoke about his recent decision to step down from his position.
He said his view was that the head of an organisation’s lifespan was five to seven years.
“At nine years I’ve overlived my own theories on management,” he said.
He’ll stay in the position until a replacement is found.
SEMMA chairman Lyndon Joss said Mr Dowling had been a great asset to the association.
“More importantly, he’s been a great asset to manufacturing,” he said.
“We’re going to take our time to fill very big shoes.”