Release Date: 17 August 2006
Energy Minister, Hon Fran Logan MLA, awarded the title of Graduate Engineer of the Year to Western Power employee, Rialdo Suwandi, at a ceremony last night to acknowledge the best young engineers, apprentices and trainees within the business.
The engineering award has been added for the first time to the annual awards night that acknowledges Western Power’s best apprentices and trainees.
"Western Power's training programs offer an excellent foundation for apprentices and trainees and very good experience for young graduate engineers," said Mr Logan.
Rialdo Suwandi, who also won the Most Outstanding Graduate Engineer Award, joined Western Power Corporation in 2004 as a graduate engineer after considering doctoral studies at university. He has worked in business development for the former Western Power Corporation (WPC) and is currently on a six month secondment to Horizon power in Karratha.
The new business of Western Power is continuing WPC’s 24 year tradition of rewarding its Apprentices and Trainees for outstanding achievement and adding for the award for Graduate Engineers.
Western Power Managing Director Doug Aberle said Western Power currently employed 192 apprentices and trainees and 41 Graduate Engineers.
"The future success of any public or private organisation is influenced by its ability to attract and retain talented young people.
"Western Power has expanded its training programs in recognition of the growth in our industry fuelled by the State's booming economy," said Mr Aberle.
The Award for the Apprentice/Trainee of the year was presented to Neil Crabbe who also won the Most Outstanding Trainee Line Worker.
Neil Crabbe joined the business in 2003 and took the opportunity of an assignment to Three Springs to demonstrate his committed work ethic and ability to gain from the broad experiences offered by working in small isolated communities.
| Trade Apprentices | Work Location |
|---|---|
| Year 1: Certificate of High Achievement Robert Taylor |
Kewdale |
| Year 2: Certificate of High Achievement Troy Sanders |
Kewdale |
| Trainees | |
| Certificate of High Achievement (Trainee Line Worker - Stage One/Two) Glenn Dillon-Smith |
Stirling |
| Certificate of High Achievement (Trainee Networks Officer - Secondary Systems) Andrew Watson |
Head Office |
| Most Outstanding (Trainee Line Worker - Stage Three) Three Springs |
Neil Crabbe |
| Graduate Engineers | |
| Year 1: Certificate of High Achievement Natasha Lam |
Head Office |
| Year 1: Most Outstanding Benjamin Bristow |
Prinsep Rd, Jandakot |
| Year 2: Certificate of High Achievement Jordan Kosek |
Head Office |
| Year 2: Most Outstanding Rialdo Suwandi |
Karratha (seconded to Horizon Power) |
| Year 3: Certificate of High Achievement Clinton Perry |
Prinsep Rd, Jandakot |
| Apprentice/Trainee of the Year | |
| Neil Crabbe | Three Springs |
| Graduate Engineer of the Year | |
| Rialdo Suwandi | Karratha |
If you have any questions regarding this media release please email us: media@westernpower.com.au
Page update on 25 August 2006
