Fourth year heavy duty mechanical apprentice Mitch Hastings was awarded the inaugural Apprenticeships Australia / BHP Billiton Nickel West Overall Apprentice of the Year.
The award was presented at an awards night at CCI headquarters attended by apprentices and their guests, representatives from BHP Billiton and Apprenticeships Australia/CCI.

The inaugural 2007 Apprentice of the Year goes to a fourth year apprentice who has had the duration of his apprenticeship reduced by a year due to the calibre of his trade abilities and was commended for the drive to further his knowledge with the ambition to study mechanical engineering.
BHP Billiton Nickel West president & CEO Marcelo Bastos, and Nickel West principal training advisor John Fitzmaurice, joined with CCIWA Employment Services executive director Geoff Wrigley, and Apprenticeships Australia general manager Ann Campbell, to recognise the hard work and achievements of apprentices.
Congratulations to all the worthy winners in what will become an annual event. In addition to the major award, a number of awards were presented to the most outstanding apprentices.
2nd Year Apprentice of the Year..................... Jay Lemmon 2nd year electrical/instrumentation
3rd Year Apprentice of the Year......................... Aaron Le Page 3rd year light vehicle mechanic
4th Year Apprentice of the Year......................... Mitch Hastings 4th year mechanic heavy duty
Safety Awareness Award................................................. Rhys Turner 2nd year mechanical fitter
"Apprenticeships Australia has been in partnership with BHP Billiton Nickel West since 2002. Together, our approach is one that offers a safe, secure and supportive training environment for apprentices," said Ann Campbell.
"Only 10 dedicated Apprentice of the Year finalists were selected, ranging from second to fourth year apprentices based across Nickel West operations - Mt Keith Operation, Leinster Nickel Operation, Kwinana Nickel Refinery and Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter Concentrator."
The other finalists were fourth year Leinster Nickel Operation electrical fitter/instrumentation apprentice Chris Billinghurst, second year Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter Concentrator mechanical fitter apprentice Sean Zadow, second year Kwinana Nickel Refinery mechanical fitter apprentice Liam Borromei, third year Leinster Nickel Operation electrical fitter/instrumentation apprentice Shane Richardson, second year Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter Concentrator electrical fitter/instrumentation apprentice Scott Newman and fourth year Kwinana Nickel Refinery mechanical fitter apprentice Clayton Greathead.
"From discussions I've had with managers across Nickel West, the (apprentice) program is delivering impressive results - many of the finalists have identified important improvements and innovations that have either been accepted or are under consideration," said Marcelo Bastos.
"Your ingenuity and commitment is to be applauded, especially the clear commitment that each one of you shows to safety - this attention to safety is at the heart of our operations - it's our number one value and the backbone of our workplace philosophy.
“The support of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry's Apprenticeships Australia in delivering an apprenticeship program for Nickel West is also essential.
"Apprentices - you are at the beginning of what I hope will be long and rewarding careers. I know post apprenticeship that individuals of your calibre will be highly sought-after."
