VET in Schools gives Kelvin and Daniel a headstart to a trade
18 May 2004
Kangan Batman TAFE's Outstanding Student in VET in Schools Award goes to Keilor resident Kelvin French. Kelvin has been completing the Certificate II in Building and Construction at Kangan Batman TAFE's Avondale Heights campus through the VET (vocational education and training) in Schools program during his VCE at Niddrie Secondary College.
Kelvin's drive to succeed and quality workmanship won him this award. Kelvin has been interested in building and carpentry since a young age, and has done work experience in the area every school holiday since Year 10.
This meant he had more experience than some of his classmates, but his Kangan Batman teachers say he always lent his fellow students a hand and shared his knowledge.
Kelvin's high standard of workmanship was also recognised when he won the Regional WorkSkills VET in Schools competition in his trade area. He will now go on to compete in the national WorkSkills competition.
Kelvin hopes to have his own business by the age of 25. He plans to study in areas such as accounting and business management while doing his apprenticeship, which he will start at the end of this year.
East Keilor resident Daniel Albano also impressed the award judges, leading them to take the unusual step of presenting a Highly Commended VET in Schools award. A student at St Bernard's College, Daniel completed the Certificate I in Engineering Technology at Kangan Batman TAFE's Broadmeadows campus through the VET in Schools program. His TAFE teachers describe him as a self-starter who was a delight to teach.
Daniel's father works in the engineering field and Daniel has helped him in his garage workshop since the age of eight. As a result Daniel has extensive knowledge of the industry which he happily shared with his classmates. His enthusiasm for engineering also saw him achieve outstanding marks.
Daniel's goal is to gain an engineering apprenticeship. His teachers believe he will make an excellent tradesperson due to his precise work and understanding of the importance of quality in the workplace.
Kangan Batman TAFE has 24,000 students across its seven campuses in Broadmeadows, Moreland, Richmond, Craigieburn, Coburg, Avondale Heights and Essendon.
Each year in May, Kangan Batman TAFE conducts two graduation ceremonies at the Moonee Valley Racecourse to accommodate all of its graduates and award-winning students. The second ceremony, at which Kelvin and Daniel will receive their awards, will be held on Friday 21 May 2004. D+D Global Group is major sponsor of the ceremony, while the Jobs Plus is supporting sponsor.
