2022 SATA Apprentice of the Year Finalists

In April 2022, Holly started working full-time as a chef at the Salopian Inn, McLaren Vale. This experience has allowed her to further develop her range of expertise under a personal culinary inspiration, Karena Armstrong.

Alongside her work at Salopian Inn, Holly also studies at the University of Adelaide part-time, completing a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Digital Marketing and Communication.

“This degree is an area of interest for me and can help further my opportunities through different areas of the food industry,” Holly says.

“People who love to eat are always the best people so the decision to pursue a career where I could spend my time cooking, learning and developing my skills while sharing them and learning from like-minded people was a no-brainer.”

“Food has interested me from a young age and was always what I had my mind set on.”

Holly’s goals for the future are to further develop her skills within the kitchen and to continue to stay curious about the opportunities available to her. There is an option to complete exchange through her university studies in Bordeaux for up to a year.

“This would be an amazing opportunity that definitely interests and excites me. I am excited for what the future holds!”

By his mid-twenties, Alexander had become passionate about cooking for friends and family and was starting to dream about a career as a chef.

“I couldn’t put the idea away, and with the support of my wife, I took the plunge,” Alexander says.

“At the 'mature' age of 29 I enrolled in TAFE SA Regency Park.”

Juggling study while working full-time with a young family certainly stretched Alexander and his family, but an apprenticeship soon followed, and he is now a qualified chef with a clear sense of where he wants to take his career.

“Most importantly, my employer, Southern Cross Care, opened my eyes to the world of commercial cookery in aged care settings and I have become passionate about removing the stigma that surrounds cooking in aged and health care.”

“My ambition now is to improve the culinary experience and nutrition of older people in care, and I think there are opportunities to make simple changes to make sure the textures and tastes are varied and stimulating.”

“I am very interested in the relationship between positive mental health and diet and nutrition and think there are real opportunities to make improvements in the care sector.”

In 2021, Alex nominated for the competitive ‘Proud to be a Chef’ program and was selected as one of 32 apprentices nationally, and just one of two South Australians.

He completed his apprenticeship in October 2021 and is happily supported by wife Amy, daughters Savannah and Scarlet and stepson Jordon.

Mark’s journey from finishing school to starting his electrical apprenticeship took him around the world and through a variety of professions over the course of 17 years.

“I believe each step and every experience on that journey brought me here – to the completion of a trade I love and looking towards a future I’m excited for,” Mark says.

When he began his electrical apprenticeship, Mark was a mature-age student working towards his second trade. Armed with complementary experience and knowledge, he was able to give back to his workplace as he learned. Mark is proud to have contributed to his team in this way.

“I’m proud of what I’ve achieved through my career to date, and happily reflect on the people in my life who have inspired and motivated me – from my family to those I’ve met in my travels, and through my participation in a number of leadership programs, to the teams at ATEC and Rawsons during my apprenticeship.”

“I strive to make them all proud, through my hard work, dedication to my trade, and by excelling using the skills, knowledge, and perspective they’ve all helped me gain.”

His future as an electrician could take him down any number of paths, which both inspires and excites him.

“I could see myself managing a division within Rawsons, working interstate, or even running my own business and taking on my own apprentices.”

“I look forward to the leadership opportunities presented by each scenario, all is now possible thanks to my training.”

Isaac is a qualified tradesperson, having completed his Certificate III in Carpentry with Stair Lock and TAFE SA while also completing his SACE at St Patrick’s Technical College.

Isaac was inspired to undertake a trade and learn the business by his uncle who runs his own carpentry business.

“My uncle encouraged me to think beyond the ‘tools’ and now I’m on a career trajectory of becoming a leader.”

Isaac is now an estimator at Stair Lock, one of Australia’s largest staircase companies, where he brings his trade knowledge into the business side of carpentry.

He reads building plans, reviews building code requirements and creates quotations for some of Australia’s largest builders.

“I have many dreams for my future like building my first home by 30, finding a partner to share my life with, and starting a family,” Isaac says.

“In 2020, although affected by COVID, I bought my first new car, which no one thought I could do.”

“I’m young, and don’t know what the future holds, but having completed a trade and having a supportive family and employer, means I can learn, grow and figure out what I want to do along the way.”