Congratulations Reuben - Winner of the Prime Ministers Vocational Excellence Award
Congratulations Reuben - Winner of the Prime Ministers Vocational Excellence Award
Vocational Excellence Award
The Prime Ministers Vocational Excellence Award celebrates the achievement of secondary students enrolled in vocational programmes. Vocational education is education & training that helps students develop the skills, knowledge & attributes they need to perform a specific role & build a career in an industry. New Zealand needs new workers entering the trade, technology and creative sectors in order to support our economy & ensure we can all prosper. The award rewards the top Year 12 or 13 secondary student enrolled in vocational programmes of learning with a $2,000 monetary prize. Only one student is eligible per school.
At Christchurch Electrical we are strong believers in developing the next generation, creating career pathways into trade roles & supporting our local community by creating opportunities for talent to be developed through work experience & apprenticeships.
Excellence Award Winner
Reuben Potgieter, a student from Hillmorton High School had been working at Christchurch Electrical gaining practical work experience when his focus, drive & hard-working attitude formed a lasting impression with our team & his teachers. His school felt with his dedication & desire to succeed in his chosen profession of electrician, that Reuben was a very worthy candidate for the award & so they nominated him using criteria developed by the Ministry of Education. His nomination was accepted & Reuben became the proud winner of the Prime Ministers Vocational Excellence Award for Hillmorton High School.
Morning Tea with Hon Dr Megan Woods
To mark the occasion, Hon Dr Megan Woods, Labour MP for Wigram attended a morning tea celebration at our offices & presented Reuben with his excellence award. In attendance was Megan Woods’ PA Megan Thompson & Sandra Stanley of Hillmorton High School along with Reuben’s Mother & Sister. Megan & Sandra took the opportunity to congratulate Reuben on his achievement & wish him well in his newly appointed position of Apprentice Electrician with Christchurch Electrical.
Reuben’s Journey
Reuben came with his family from South Africa to New Zealand 2½ years ago & got straight into school life at Hillmorton. He was part of the Senior Student Council (where students represent the student body & promote student voice within the school, improving school for the students).
Joining our team to gain work experience in April, he was so keen to learn more, he asked to do extra work through the school holidays! He is a keen rugby player & when he’s not working or playing rugby, also enjoys gaming.
Reuben likes the practical side to learning a new skill & working with his hands, he’s keen to gain more experience, enjoying working out on site & learning new working methods.
When asked how he felt about winning the excellence award Reuben answered “privileged”. He explained in South Africa similar opportunities were not available, his teacher had gone out of her way to support him & seek out this possibility & for that he was grateful. Reuben has put to good use his prize money spending some of it on new tools & clothing.
Congratulations Reuben on your award, we are sure you have a bright future with Christchurch Electrical – welcome aboard!
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