The IntoWork Group and AGA were honoured to receive multiple accolades at the Apprenticeship Employment Network (AEN) annual Apprentice Training Awards on November 20.

AEN’s, Victoria’s leading industry body, annual Apprentice Training Awards recognise excellence and innovation within the group training sector across various categories. Celebrating outstanding achievements and long-term dedication, these awards highlight the significant contributions of individuals and organisations to vocational education and training.

Dr Paul Scofield, affectionately known to staff as ‘Dr Paul’, received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his lifelong commitment to Vocational Education and Training. Paul provides risk consultancy services to IntoWork, having previously held health and safety services roles with five IntoWork Group Training Organisations for three decades, including as IntoWork Risk Manager.

AGA’s Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ) Risk Coordinator, and member of the IntoWork Safety Leadership Team, Tony Zaghet was another deserving recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognises more than 30 years’ service in the group training industry.

Tony commenced with Gippsland Group Training in 1992, as a Trade Trainer to automotive apprentices. He has helped over 400 young people transition from school to employment and setup the Automotive Training Centre in Morwell where he delivered training in real workshop environments.

Alan Pump, Rob Paladino, Leah Crellin James McWilliam and Olivia Chapman of AGA, were each awarded the GTO Industry Service Award for 15 Years of Service. Kevin Breen and Elizabeth Board, both members of the IntoWork Group Board, were honoured for 20 years of Service, and Kerry Daruwalla of AGA was recognised for an impressive 25 years.

AGA, with host employer Prime Electrical Data Services, was also a finalist in the new GTO Industry Collaboration Award category. The award celebrates partnerships that enhance training opportunities and outcomes and foster innovative solutions within the host employer’s industry.

AGA CEO Nicolas West, congratulated the service award recipients and commended AGA for being a finalist, “AGA and the IntoWork Group has a proud history of connecting apprentices with host employers and supporting them in their training environments. To have our team recognised at this level in Victoria is a significant achievement and endorses IntoWork’s vision of Vibrant Futures for our staff, service users and business clients,” he said.

For over four decades, AGA, part of the IntoWork Group, has been one of Victoria’s leading providers of employment and training services. As a registered Social Trader and not-for-profit, AGA is committed to empowering young people through Apprenticeships and Traineeships, Education and Training and Community Support Programs.

Founded in 1983, IntoWork is a not-for-profit registered charity providing services as the leading provider of Employment, Skills & Education, and Support services. IntoWork Group of Businesses employs 2000 staff across more than 200 locations nationwide and in New Zealand.