Kangan Institute’s most outstanding students were celebrated at an awards night recently, with automotive apprentice Madison Giordano named Apprentice of the Year.
Ms Giordano began studying certificate III in heavy commercial vehicle mechanical technology after deciding a career in nursing wasn’t for her,
She took time out from her nursing studies to travel around Australia. It was during that trip, when her car broke down, that she found her passion for the mechanical trade.
“I was stuck west of Alice Springs for a couple of months, so I stayed at a truck company, and I just helped out around the place,” Ms Giordano said.
It was there that she got to see the heavy mechanical industry first-hand, and when she arrived home, she made the choice to start her career in the industry.
As a female in a male dominated field, Ms Giordano said there are times she does get treated differently by others.
It can be daunting, there’s not many girls in this trade,” she said. “It’s just not very common.
“You have to rely on people taking a chance and you kind of have to prove yourself a bit more and prove to people you can actually do it. But once you do that, and you get started, it’s really good.
Ms Giordano was one of 76 students recognised at Kangan’s Industry Excellence Awards on February 24.
Young Achiever of the Year Maryam Safdari was celebrated for her ability to overcome challenges both in her past and as she re-settled in a new country.
As a budding photographer while living in Pakistan, Ms Safdari taught herself how to use her skills to document the life around her and began teaching herself English through watching movies. Through her photography, she was accepted as a journalist in her hometown of
Pakistan.
Ms Safdari arrived in Australia in July 2019 and enrolled in a certificate IV in spoken and written English.
She is now enrolled in a certificate III in education support and aims to undertake a certificate IV in photography in the near future.
Advanced diploma of fashion design and merchandising student Michaela Eddington was named Student of the Year.
Kangan Institute chief executive Sally Curtain congratulated all award winners.
“Congratulations to all award winners and nominees. It has been an incredible year for students, and I’m proud to celebrate their commitment to education in the face of many challenges,” she said.
