:: Blue Circle Southern Cement Packaged Products & Cameron's Timber & Hardware ::
GOLDEN TROWEL AWARDS 2009
Blue Circle congratulates Bathurst apprentices as the winning team of this year's Golden Trowel Competition.
Coincidentally this year Bathurst TAFE was also host of the 9th biennial Golden Trowel Competition. The contest recognises the skills of young apprentices and encourages excellence in the trade of brick and blocklaying. Blue Circle is fortunate to have been the major sponsor of the event since 1997 when it was last held here in Bathurst.
It started in 1993 just as a contest between TAFEs within NSW, but as word spread to the other states the competition grew. Now there are many teams wanting to compete and as space is limited at any one venue, some states hold playoffs where the winning team represented their state. In 2009 there were 13 teams competing from all states.
At the moment traditional trades are having difficulty attracting apprentices, and it's the responsibility of industry groups, suppliers and employers to participate wherever possible.
Events such as the Golden Trowel allow all parties who have a vested interest to participate in the development of the industry right from the grass roots.
The Golden Trowel is very significant to the concrete and/or masonry industries as it provides a platform for developing closer links between trade training, the building industry and concrete masonry manufacturers. It's important that we have skilled labour in the industry to install our products and this is one way in which Blue Circle Southern Cement can support the development of those skills. The Golden Trowel recognises the individual contribution that brick and blocklayers make to the industry - and it's done in a fun way.
Each member participating in the Golden Trowel will gain great benefit from the competition as it encourages young apprentices to achieve excellence in their work. It also gives them the opportunity to network with other colleges where they can compare ideas, training techniques and discuss industry related topics.
Apart from being the major sponsor for the Golden Trowel competition, BCSC also support TAFE's with products, technical literature and advice.
On behalf of Blue Circle Cement we'd like to celebrate the contribution these young men have made to our industry and congratulate them on their achievement over the past few days.
