The presentation of the Apprentice of the Year Award took place during the CVIAQ Annual Dinner and Awards Night held at The Greek Club on Saturday 3rd October 2009 and was won by Mr Lochlin McKean from MTU Detroit Diesel Australia / TORGAS who is due to complete his Certificate 3 as an Automotive Specialist. This is the second year running that an apprentice from MTU Detroit Diesel has won the coveted award.

High Achievement Awards were presented to Mr Stewart Maclennan of Cummins South Pacific Pty Ltd / TORGAS and Ms Simoné Bangé of Hastings Deering (Australia) Ltd. Simoné is the first female apprentice to win a major award in this competition. The awards were announced by CVIAQ Board Vice President and judging panel chairman, Mr Bob Martin of Jost Australia Ltd.

The Apprentice of the Year Award is an annual award open to apprentices in the final stages of their training from the heavy vehicle repair, service and manufacturing sectors. The award is held in high regard by industry and has a history stretching back over twenty-five years.

CVIAQ had an unprecedented response with 13 nominations for the award. Due to the strength of the field and the close point scoring between nominees the judges requested that all 13 nominees be invited to the CVIAQ Annual Dinner where the presentation of the Awards took place.

The judges chose six recipients for the major awards:

2009 CVIAQ Apprentice of the Year
Lochlin McKean – MTU Detroit Diesel Australia / TORGAS
Certificate 3 Automotive Specialist

High Achievement Award
Stewart Maclennan – Cummins South Pacific / TORGAS
Certificate 3 Automotive Specialist

Simoné Bangé – Hastings Deering (Australia) Ltd
Certificate 3 Automotive Mechanical Technology

Certificate of Merit
Cobie Dendle – Volvo Group Australia Pty Ltd
Certificate 3 Automotive Mechanical (Heavy Vehicle Road Transport)

Michael Mercer – Cummins South Pacific / TORGAS
Certificate 3 Automotive Specialist

Thomas Mason – Varley Specialised Vehicles
Certificate 3 Automotive Manufacturing (Bus, Truck and Trailer)