Congratulations to the 2018 BBM Youth Support Trade Awardees

This year’s BBM Youth Support Awards in the Trades Category recognise excellence in 15 aspiring industry leaders across 14 trades, from tiling to fashion technology and from metal fabrication to baking.

“Our 2018 awardees from Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania and Victoria will be given the opportunity to work, study and grow both professionally and personally through international work experience,” says Melanie Stray, CEO of BBM Youth Support.

The BBM judging panel recognises the winners as extraordinary young professionals who demonstrate not only excellence in their skills but also ambition and industry leadership potential. The successful applicants, who had already proved their skills as medallists at the WorldSkills National Championship also stood out through their keen interest in giving back to their community and profession.

“This is key to becoming a BBM Awardee as we need to reach beyond producing skilled professionals to creating leaders and mentors for those young Australian’s who follow in their footsteps,” Ms Stray says.

We are thrilled to have partners like WorldSkills Australia, who recognise and support talent in future awardees and contribute their industry expertise on the award judging panel.

“Congratulations to this year’s recipients of the BBM Youth Support Awards. WorldSkills Australia has been empowering excellence in young Australians since 1981 and the 15 new recipients now have the opportunity to further develop not only their technical skills, but their resilience and confidence. Our partnership with BBM Youth Support is incredibly important and we thank the Board and Leadership team for their tireless work and ongoing support” says Brett Judd CEO WorldSkills Australia.

The 2018 trade awardees are;

Matt Brandt, TAFE NSW Glendale, Panel Beating

Justin Bye, TasTAFE, TAS, Heavy Vehicle Mechanics

Rhys Duggan, TAFE NSW Maitland, Painting and Decorating

Amber Gabelich, ACE Kangan Docklands Campus, VIC, Automotive Spray Painting

Troy Gibbs, TAFE NSW Newcastle, Engineering, Sheetmetal

Ryan Hepplewhite, TAFE NSW Wollongong, Metal Fabrication

Hayley Kellett, Retail Baking, The Deakin Bakery Mildura

Connor Linz, TAFE NSW Maitland, Plastering

Jade Moffatt, TAFE Brisbane, QLD, Fashion Technology

Dayna Moyses, Tamworth TAFE NSW, Chef

Georgia Piggott, Jeweller with Gemcraft Australia (Wallace Bishop)

Shannon Thompson, Completed study at TAFE NSW Coffs Harbour, Tiling

Samantha Trotter, The Gumnut Patisserie and TAFE NSW Illawarra, Pastry Chef

Joe Ussher, TAFE NSW New England, Auto Electrical

Hayley Waterhouse, TAFE NSW Hamilton, Pastry Chef

BBM Youth Support CEO Melanie Stray feels that these kind of development opportunities are all too rare for the young people of Australia: ‘We believe that successful young people create more opportunities for themselves and others, and we know that these award experiences help young people grow both personally and professionally. These awards have been running since 1983, and many of our alumni have brought back skills and new perspectives to Australia, inspiring other young people to go out there and fulfil their potential. This ripple effect will help Australia have a better future, and I’m proud to be a part of this.’

Copy Provided by BBM Youth Support