Skills Highway Champion Awards

Wow! What a great Skills Highway Champion Awards event! The room was a-buzz with joy and well-deserved pride as we celebrated the successes of learners, tutors and employers. MC Pale Sauni made everyone feel welcome and relaxed, and delighted us with his singing. Special guests Gillian Dudgeon, from the TEC, and Josh Williams, from the Industry Training Federation, presented certificates and shook many hands!

The Skills Highway Supreme Champion was Melissa Ryder, from Neat Meat Global Ltd. Well done, Melissa! We'd like to acknowledge all the entrants and thank the people who took the time to nominate them. 

Here's a selection of photos from the event.

Skills Highway Supreme Champion 

Melissa Ryder, Neat Meat Global Ltd.

Skills Highway Champion Learner
Winners
    Mama Tepou John, Pacific Homecare   
    Melissa Awhina Ryder, Neat Meat Global Limited    
    Binod Mishra, FSSI Hornby DC    
    Adam Washbourne, Sanford Ltd Havelock
Highly commended   
    Jas Singh, First Security    
    Joseph Houia, Sanford Tauranga    
    Simon Redondo, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare    
    Clifton Griffiths, Waste Management    
    Faauma Toatua, FSSI Hornby DC    
            
Skills Highway Champion Trainer 
Winners  
    Lyn Nikoloff, RMG    
    Dave Curtis, Associate with The Learning Wave
Highly commended     
    Dylan Patchett    Associate with The Learning Wave    
            
Skills Highway Champion New Trainer  
Winner
    Merania (Rani) Timoti, Training For You Ltd
Highly Commended  
    Maureen Hamahona, Upskills Ltd    
            
Skills Highway Innovation Award 
Winner 
    The Labour Exchange in partnership with Education Unlimited
Highly Commended   
    Skills First Champions Network, Waste Management NZ    
    Ngā Mahi, FSSI Hornby DC  
            
Skills Highway Champion Workplace Support/Mentor 
Winners  
    Bridget Gambell, FSSI Hornby DC     
    Jackie Danes, Counties Manukau DHB   
    Grant Day, Sanford Ltd
Highly commended   
    Helen Holloway, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare    
    Timoci Baro, Waste Management    
    Tuvale Pei, Viridian Glass – Highbrook     
    Lago Sanonu, First Security    
            
Skills Highway Champion Employer 
Winners
    Fisher & Paykel Healthcare       
    The Labour Exchange        
    Sharon Scott, Waste Management NZ
Highly Commended  
    Buckley Systems Limited       
    Waitaki Resource Recovery Park       
    Sanford Ltd       
            
Skills Highway Champion Learner Group 
Winners
    Griffin's: Virtual Tour, Griffin’s Food Ltd   
    James Tasi        
    Michelle Te Kanawa         
    Nadia Kahui        
    FSSI: Tuhinga - The Safe Place, FSSI Hornby DC   
    Bhakta Magar         
    Atkins Chishimba         
    Tony Fitzell
Highly commended       
    Waste Management: Level 2 Engineering, Waste Management NZ Ltd  
    Shane Turetahi         
    Pamini Taufa         
    Livi Fata         
    Clifton Griffiths