The Country Women's Association Central Western Group has awarded their Most Deserving Fourth Year Apprentice award for 2020 to mechanical engineer Bryce Ryan.
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The award was officially announced with a presentation ceremony at Orange CWA Hall at Robertson Park on Monday. The award is given out each year by the CWA Central Western Group in conjunction with Skillset, as well as a cheque for the young apprentice.
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Mr Ryan, a 22-year-old from Blayney who began his Certificate III in mechanical engineering with local business HORT Enterprises in 2017, was selected for the award because of his attitude and work ethic as well as the degree to which he has upskilled throughout the course of his traineeship.
Skillset's Jacqui Sands said the quality of the young apprentice's work had also played a big role in his selection for the award.
"He's upskilled for the duration of his qualification... and his work ethic is fantastic," Ms Sands said, adding that he was "very deserving".
Mr Ryan, who also received a cheque for $800 from Skillset as well as the CWA, said the recognition was proof that "if you put in the effort, you get rewarded".
The CWA's Central Western Group, which is comprised of 15 branches across the region, holds the award every year for a graduating apprentice, said president Jan Kerr.
"The award was set up many, many years ago... (by the) CWA to try and encourage the youth of our nation," she said.
"In the Central Western Group we thought it would be good to have an award for a graduating apprentice. The idea of it was also to give them a cheque which will help them in their future life... It's to help a final year apprentice take the next step into the work force."
Most years, the CWA group, which is comprised of branches throughout the Central West including Bathurst, Cumnock and Woodstock, among others, usually raises the funds for the cheque themselves with the takings from their tea rooms at the Australian National Field Days.
But due to the cancellation of the event as well as many others in 2020, the Central Western CWA Group couldn't stick to their usual vigorous fundraising schedule so received assistance from Skillset.
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