The Manufacturers' Monthly Endeavour Awards is Australia's premier national awards for manufacturing excellence. Recognising the essential role manufacturing plays in Australia's economy, the Endeavour Awards program was established in 2003 and is the only national awards program specifically for Australia's manufacturing industry.

The Hon Richard Marles MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation and Industry and over 250 invited guests recognised the best of Australian manufacturing at the gala awards dinner held in Sydney.

SKILLED was once again proud to be involved with the awards by sponsoring the Young Manufacturer of the Year, which recognises the elite members of Australia’s next generation of manufacturers. This is the only category in the Endeavour Awards open to individuals. Nominees must be 32 years of age or under and have made an outstanding contribution to their company and to the wider manufacturing community.

The 2010 winner of The Young Manufacturer of the Year was Aaron Cassidy from Universal Fencing. As general manager of Universal Fencing, one of the largest fencing manufacturers in Victoria, Aaron Cassidy's role is to operate, develop and improve the business. Cassidy has added significant value to the business by developing a business case to reduce waste and improve efficiency as well as designing new transport specifically for moving fencing products. This has removed 95% of damage caused by transport and reduced cost of freight and unloading time.

With another record number of nominations, the Endeavour Awards continue to grow and is the most prestigious awards program solely for Australia’s manufacturing industry.