SOUTH West engineering company CCR Group was one of 22 businesses presented in Sydney last week with a 2006 Minister’s Award for Excellence for Employers of Australian Apprentices.

The national award recognised CCR Group for its contribution to tackling Australia’s shortage of skilled tradespeople through its commitment to the training and development of Apprentices.

Winners received a cash prize of $5000, a trophy and certificate.

In presenting the awards, Vocational and Technical Education Minister Gary Hardgrave described the winners as nation builders.

“They are training and nurturing the talent of these young nation builders and both are vital in propelling Australia’s economic growth for decades to come,” he said.

Winning employers demonstrated a recognition that training was an investment, not a cost and understood the value of training Australian Apprentices to perform well in their company environment.

CCR Group, based in Donnybrook, undertakes mechanical services contracts within the mining, building and construction sector and in its short six-year history has grown from three staff to 85, including 10 Apprentices.

The company specialised in boiler making, scaffolding, welding, rigging and project management.

Spurred on by strong growth and its recent award success, CCR Group is now preparing for relocation to Bunbury, expected to be complete by the end of November.

CCR Group Human Resources and Training Officer Niomi Hurley said the company had a strong commitment to Australian Apprenticeships and other training schemes.

“CCR Group provides more than just a workplace of learning,” she said.

“We have set up a culture that fosters an environment aimed at the coaching and guidance of all employees and this drives our Australian Apprentices to achieve more than just the completion of their daily duties.”

Ms Hurley said specific initiatives to ensure CCR Group Apprentices would become the ‘best that they could be’ included:

“All of our Australian Apprentices are very consistent in their attitude, learning, growth and performance,” Ms Hurley said.

“We are so proud of them all and look forward to seeing them all grow and develop within the business.”

For more information or picture opportunities contact:…

Niomi Hurley
Human Resources
CCR Group Pty Ltd
Telephone:(08)9731-0197
Facsimile:   (08) 9731-0195
niomi.hurley@ccrgroup.com.au

                Or

Chris Butler
CB Marketing
Ph9795-6261
Fx9795-6600
chris@cbmarketing.com.au