JOEL Doran has not been in town for very long. He comes from Lightning Ridge and said he knows very few people in town. He is a first year apprentice electrician with Paul Faust The Electrician and has been awarded a $5000 Bert Evans Scholarship to help with his studies.
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Anthony Hollis from the State Training Service and Member for Northern Tablelands, Adam Marshall, presented Mr Doran with his cheque on October 12.
Mr Doran said he was definitely pleased with scholarship.
“It helps out a lot with all the stuff that I do,’ he said.
“It will help a lot with the travelling to Tamworth TAFE and text books are pretty expensive.” Mr Faust has only been self employed for a couple of years and Joel is his first apprentice, so he is extremely happy with the scholarship.
“There is a lot pride there. To be in the position where you can train someone up is the best part,” Mr Faust said.
“I’ve been an electrician all my life, literally before I left school. It’s fantastic that we can support Joel and teach him everything I’ve been taught in the last, I don’t know how many years.”
Mr Hollis said it was good for the kids to get assistance as they go through and achieve what they’re looing for.
“This is the first of the Bert Evans Awards, they may be looking at continuing them over a number of years.”
Mr Marshall said there was the potential for Joel to pick up the same amount next year, but that payment was not guaranteed.
“The whole program is just for country kids, because it recognises that there are extra costs and extra barriers for country apprentices,” Mr Marshall said.
He said he thought these scholarships may become more prevalent in years to come as the need to support rural apprentices increased.