Skills Institute

Wednesday, 21 November 2012 - 10:46am

Skills Institute glazing apprentice Peter Orford has become the first person to win the Australian Glass and Glazing Association (AGGA) award in the Northern Territory.

Recognising an outstanding apprentice in their fourth year, it is the first time the award has been presented to an apprentice in the NT.

Peter began his glazing apprenticeship with Easy Glass Services in September, 2008.

“Peter was looking for a change in his life and came across our advertisement for an apprentice in the local paper,” owners Cameron and Mary Linnell said. “His decision to join our team has changed his life for the better.

“Peter has taken the time to become efficient at everything in the glazing trade from simple residential work, fly screens and shower screens, to the more complex of commercial applications, like frameless specialty items and show pieces.

“He is efficient and forward-thinking and always up for a challenge.

“Peter is precise in his work and in his thinking and can often save time in his approach to a task.”

Peter has been trained through The Skills Institute (TSI), which has conducted glass and glazing training in the Northern Territory for the past 32 years.

“Peter has been lucky to have spent his time training under other graduates of the Tasmanian Skills Institute and they have passed on the legacy that is glazing in the Northern Territory,” Mrs Linnell said.

Skills Institute CEO Malcolm White said the award was testament not only to Peter’s commitment to his work, but to the quality of the training provided by TSI in the Northern Territory.

“We have a contract with the Northern Territory Department of Business and Employment to provide training for glass and glazing apprentices throughout the territory,” Mr White said.

“We are pleased that the quality of our training has been recognised by such an important organisation as the AGGA.

“In the past 32 years we have trained about 500 apprentices in glass and glazing in the Northern Territory. Currently we average about 20 a year.”

Mrs Linnell said the award paved the way for a bright career ahead for Peter.

“Peter is a valued, well respected member of our team and we are proud of this recognition of his achievements,” she said. 

“Peter has worked tirelessly and diligently towards his goal of becoming an outstanding glazier, and now the world is his oyster.”