MOST apprentices dream of the day they will own a complete apprentices’ toolkit.
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For Mitch Martin, that dream became a reality on Thursday (April 28) when he was presented with an industry-standard toolbox, a full range of tools and a chest of drawers, valued at over $2000.
The Macleay Valley Education Fund (MVEF) presented the scholarship grant, in the form of the toolkit, to assist Mitch in completing his automotive apprenticeship through Kempsey TAFE, while working at Tyre Power in South West Rocks.
“Mitch was the perfect candidate for a MVEF grant for the type of student we wanted to help. His goal was realistic, he was doing things to achieve that goal and he had a genuine financial need,” says Terry Witchard, Mitch’s theory tutor at Kempsey TAFE and Treasurer of the MVEF.
“What stood out about Mitch was his determination and hard work. He was originally doing his apprenticeship at Singleton but with the downturn of the mining industry he was put off."
After two years of being unemployed, Mitch went looking for work and left his family behind to move to South West Rocks for a job and to complete his studies.
“It’s just luck that I’ve ended out here and it’s good everyone is helping me out. I was a little bit shocked when I saw the toolkit, it was pretty good. I didn’t know what to expect,” Mitch said.
The grant was made possible by donations to the MVEF, including generous donations from South West Rocks Rotary Club and the James N Kirby Foundation, who targets students specifically undertaking a trade qualification, with the toolkit supplied locally by Dee-Amber Rural Supplies.
The Macleay Valley Education Fund was formed in 2012 and raises funds locally to assist Macleay Valley young people aged 16- 25 at University, TAFE or starting out in the workforce with some of the costs involved in undertaking their course.
In its first three years, the fund has awarded over $30 000 to 17 local youth, covering costs such as text books, travel costs, computers and other equipment and has been generously supported by the Kempsey Shire Mayoral Community Fund.
For more information about studying Automotive at North Coast TAFE- Kempsey Campus, please contact the Contact Centre on 1300 628 233 or visit www.northcoasttafe.edu.au