A NEW generation of tradespeople at Gladstone Ports Corporation have taken home awards at the Annual Apprentice and Trainee Awards night, with one student receiving the top gong.

There were eighteen winners at GPC’s 14th annual event but attention fell on mechanical apprentice Keagan Yasso who won Apprentice of the Year.

The fourth-year apprentice said it was an “honour” to receive GPC’s highest apprentice and trainee award.

“It’s all thanks to my family, friends and mentors at GPC who inspire, teach and support me every day,” he said.

“I’m really passionate about what I do and this award is motivation to keep learning and being the best I can be.”

The awards ceremony sets out to recognise the hard work, skills and dedication of all apprentices at the Port.

GPC is currently home to 63 apprentices and trainees and 17 will graduate from our renowned training program in December.

Acting CEO Craig Walker said GPC is proud to be training the next generation of Gladstone’s tradespeople.

“We are harnessing our local talent because they are our future tradespeople who will go on to build our nation’s future and be well placed in the tradition of apprenticeships and traineeships, to train and support our next generation of aspiring people,“ Mr Walker said.

“We’re very fortunate at the port to have and maintain such a large number of apprentices when this is not the trend across the nation and we’re committed to helping them on their journey.

“We have employees with over 40-years of invaluable knowledge and wisdom mentoring our apprentices and trainees and that is a very valuable characteristic we are very proud of.”