Background

The SKILLED Technical Trades Foundation (STTF) was established in 2004 to commemorate the retirement of SKILLED Group’s founder, Mr Frank Hargrave AO, and acknowledge his contribution to Australian industry by promoting careers in technical trades.

STTF provides financial assistance and mentoring to trainees and trade apprentices to help them complete their technical qualifications.  In acknowledging that some trainees and apprentices must overcome obstacles to succeed during their studies, STTF aims to provide practical assistance to award recipients that may make the difference between completing their qualifications or discontinuing.

Since inception of STTF, just over $150,000 has been awarded to assist 76 apprentices and trainees across SKILLED Group.In 2010, the STTF received 13 nominations. $20,510 was awarded to assist the nine successful applicants.

Awards
Awards of up to $5,000 are available to current apprentices and trainees. The awards fall into three categories:

• Technical Training Opportunity Awards
  Available to someone that may be having difficulty in achieving technical training. This could be for any number of reasons, including the need to travel considerable distances; having to relocate for training or their family may not have the resources to support them during training.
• Encouragement Awards
  Available to someone who has commenced technical training but is having difficulty completing it.
• Excellence Awards
  Available to someone who has completed technical training but who could benefit from further training.

STTF has also determined that it will consider Other Awards on an as required basis.  For example, where an employee may have won an Award from another Scheme outside the SKILLED Group which involved study or travel, the Foundation could consider supplementing that Award through this category.

Eligibility Criteria
Staff and employees across SKILLED Group are encouraged to nominate apprentices or trainees who would benefit from one of the Awards. You can nominate:

• Trade Apprentices or Trainees employed by SKILLED Group
• Trade Apprentices or Trainees who are friends or family of

SKILLED Group employees or staff.
Before submitting the online nomination form, all staff need their General Manager to endorse the application and verify that a person is an apprentice or trade trainee.

What are Technical Trades?

Benefits to STTF Award Winners
STTF Award Winners will enjoy:

• recognition of their positive approach to reaching goals and overcoming any obstacles and barriers along the way;
• a financial award of up to $5,000;
• a presentation event to be shared with family, perhaps at a local hotel or restaurant; and
• recognition across the SKILLED Group nationally with photographs and achievements circulated in SKILLED Group online and printed publications. 

Recipient Feedback 
Recipients have indicated that an award from STTF has:

• improved their personal confidence;
• provided them with greater satisfaction in their chosen career;
• helped them to pay for work related education;
• supplied them with technical tools for their trade;
• assisted them with living expenses particularly when required to live away from home in order to undertake technical training.
   

Timeframe

Nomination Form 2011