A teenager from Goulburn has taken out the 2009 School Based Trainee of the Year Award for NSW.
The trainee panel-beater's win was announced at the annual NSW Group Training Awards on Friday October 23rd, at Sydney's Star City Casino.
He will now go on to represent NSW at the National Group Training Awards in Adelaide next April.
In nominating him for the award, trainers and host employers praised Jason's commitment and love of the job. "Jason has impressed me throughout his traineeship with his dedication to his chosen trade and his ability to convert training at Canberra Institute of Technology into best practice workplace performance" employment placement officer with officer with Southern Tablelands Group Training, John Rawle said.
"(He) rated as exceptional in his attitude to safety by his host employer. He's an excellent worker. What more can I say? He gets it right everytime."
Host employer Paul Tomlinson of North Goulburn Smash Repairs said Jason had a firm grasp of most things mechanical and a feel for the industry.
That's not surprising, given his passion for cars since aged 12.
" I bought my first car when I was 12 for $400. It was a 1978 Holden HZ Ute and from that time on I had dreams of doing it up"Jason said.
"As I progressed through my years at high school I spent years trying to figure out what I wanted to do as a career, for year 10 work experience I did a week at a panel beaters shop. After that week, I didnt know what to think so I waited until the school holidays and spent another week at the panel beaters shop". Although still undecided on a career path, he knew he liked working with cars.
After several more work experience stints, Jason decided he wanted to be a panel beater. "But because of my age and the fact I lived on a farm out of town, I needed my licence before I could start an apprenticeship, so I went back to school to do year 11 and 12" Jason said.
"I was disappointed that I couldn't start an apprenticeship, but at a careers day my Mum found out about Southern Tablelands Group Training.
"STGT offered School Based Traineeships, so I went back down to Goulburn Smash Repairs and told Paul about it.
"He took me on to do the traineeship and from there on I have not only learnt so much about the trade as a panel beater but have been able to go to CIT to do a Certificate II in Panel/Paint and to be able to complete my studies for my HSC.
"While completing the school based traineeship, I was awarded School Based Trainee of the Year jointly with another Goulburn lad."