Real Training for Real Jobs MATTHEW SODERSTROM He plans to become a Registered Building FINALIST - 2017 APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR Practitioner, train young tradespeople and build a company with an emphasis on good communication and quality workmanship. Constructing unique training pathway from Auditor to Apprentice career change can inspire “My Matthew Soderstrom says his significant career others who are considering a move change from an Auditor to starting an to a trade, as well as young people apprenticeship at 29 has given him a unique perspective, and a desire to promote training to make the most suitable choice pathways. when leaving high school.” a friend through the “Recently, I supported transition from office work to learning a trade, I would relish the opportunity to mentor others.” When he left school Matthew completed a commerce degree at Monash University, and later became an Auditor at KPMG. Throughout his childhood, Matthew had always admired his father ABOUT THE VICTORIAN TRAINING AWARDS as a builder, and realised he wanted to follow in Each year, the prestigious Victorian Training his father’s footsteps. Awards recognise and honour the outstanding As an apprentice enrolled in Certificate III achievements of vocational education and training Carpentry at Box Hill Institute, Matthew’s host students, teachers, training providers and employer is his company, Istrom Homes father’s employers. Pty Ltd. The Awards celebrate excellence in the training Matthew says building and construction not only and TAFE system, highlight student achievements provide him with a sense of personal fulfilment, it and the who train them. Showcases businesses’ also injects something of value into society. innovation and collaboration between industry and Last year Matthew used his building skills as a training providers - continuing to put Victoria's top achievers in the spotlight. volunteer in Luzon, Philippines, with Team Philippines. A community was displaced during Through Skills First, the Victorian Government is typhoon Ketsana in 2009, and Matthew helped delivering a trusted training and TAFE system that build a community centre, and taught basic delivers real training for real jobs. The Awards building skills. Matthew returned to the same bring confidence and pride to vocational education village again this year to continue his work, and training. building a dental facility for the community. AWARD CATEGORIES Individual Categories Vocational Student of the Year
Real Training for Real Jobs MATTHEW SODERSTROM FINALIST - 2017 APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR Constructing unique training pathway from Auditor to Apprentice Matthew Soderstrom says his significant career change from an Auditor to starting an apprenticeship at 29 has given him a unique perspective, and a desire to promote training pathways. “Recently, I supported a friend through the transition from office work to learning a trade, I would relish the opportunity to mentor others.” When he left school Matthew completed a commerce degree at Monash University, and later became an Auditor at KPMG. Throughout his childhood, Matthew had always admired his father as a builder, and realised he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps. As an apprentice enrolled in Certificate III Carpentry at Box Hill Institute, Matthew’s host employer is his father’s company, Istrom Homes Pty Ltd. Matthew says building and construction not only provide him with a sense of personal fulfilment, it also injects something of value into society. Last year Matthew used his building skills as a volunteer in Luzon, Philippines, with Team Philippines. A community was displaced during typhoon Ketsana in 2009, and Matthew helped build a community centre, and taught basic building skills. Matthew returned to the same village again this year to continue his work, building a dental facility for the community. He plans to become a Registered Building Practitioner, train young tradespeople and build a company with an emphasis on good communication and quality workmanship. “My career change can inspire others who are considering a move to a trade, as well as young people to make the most suitable choice when leaving high school.” ABOUT THE VICTORIAN TRAINING AWARDS Each year, the prestigious Victorian Training Awards recognise and honour the outstanding achievements of vocational education and training students, teachers, training providers and employers. The Awards celebrate excellence in the training and TAFE system, highlight student achievements and the businesses’ who train them. Showcases innovation and collaboration between industry and training providers - continuing to put Victoria's top achievers in the spotlight. Through Skills First, the Victorian Government is delivering a trusted training and TAFE system that delivers real training for real jobs. The Awards bring confidence and pride to vocational education and training. AWARD CATEGORIES Individual Categories Vocational Student of the Year