Two Jordans win top gongs at 2026 MTE SA Employee Awards
A carpenter and a business trainee from Murray Bridge have been named among 17 winners at one of the Murraylands’ top workplace awards.
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A carpenter and a business trainee from Murray Bridge have won the top two categories at one of the Murraylands’ top annual workplace awards ceremonies.
The 2026 MTE SA Employee Awards were held at the Bridges Events Centre on Friday night, celebrating the 150 apprentices and trainees who work with the locally based group training organisation every year.
The apprentice of the year award went to Jordan Boyce, an apprentice carpenter with construction and maintenance company Response Building Group.
The award judges said Mr Boyce had consistently exceeded expectations with his strong work ethic, leadership ability and practical problem-solving skills.
The trainee of the year was Jordyn Cook, a business trainee at Murray Bridge Racing Club.
He had quickly built his knowledge in a niche industry, the judges said, and had proven himself to be a versatile, dedicated and respected team member.
He thanked his parents and former racing club president John Buhagiar for pushing him to do his best, and also worked in a cheeky plug for the upcoming Gold Cup race day.
A total of 15 awards were given out at the gala event, which featured a three-course dinner attended by more than 300 guests.
Murray Bridge contractors Haig and Menzel had two winners from among their ranks: third-year apprentice plumber Bodi Zerk and first-year apprentice plumber Jake Jarratt.
So too did Adelaide Hills-based George McQuinn Carpentry, with school-based apprentice Jett Caputo and building trades award winner Max Biggs.
Among the other winners were:
- School-based trainee: Meg Kassulke, a trainee school services officer at St Joseph’s School in the Riverland
- Full-time/labour hire employee: Shane Thomson, a cabinet maker with Connect Cabinetry in Murray Bridge
- Women in trades excellence: Estelle Lees, an apprentice cabinet maker with Town and Country Cabinets in the Adelaide Hills; she also won the second-year apprentice award
- Engineering and mechanical trades: George Allen, a fabrication apprentice with Adelaide Hills starting gate manufacturer Simtrack
- Chair’s apprentice award: Ali Panahi, an apprentice plumber with APM Plumbing in the Adelaide Hills
- Chair’s trainee award: Nicholas Chassiotis, a rural operations trainee at Balhannah Nurseries
- Dual trade apprentices: Mechanics Jace Bennett and Luke Ratzmer, from automotive dealer Duttons
A work health and safety employer award went to Venergy Solar, in Adelaide, for creating a proactive culture around keeping workers safe.
A number of employers were also recognised for the length of their partnerships with MTE SA.
One by one they filed up to the stage to receive glass trophies and certificates from award sponsors.
Among the winners are Jake Jarratt, with Jenny Phillips and Matthew Menzel; Estelle Lees with Wayne Thorley, Shaun Leathen and Adam Hoggett; Bodi Zerk, with Danny Galanti and Matthew Menzel; Nicholas Chassiotis with Robert Roylance and Sam Luke; Ali Panahi with Jack Alexander and Tony Solly; and Mark Bash with Tim Lewis. Photos: Peri Strathearn.
It was important to recognise outstanding apprentices and trainees and the group training organisations that supported them, said guest speaker and SA Skills Commissioner Cameron Baker.
The training industry was critical to the state’s economy at a time when there were “heaps” of job vacancies around.
More of those vacancies were in traditional trades than white-collar occupations, but workers were needed in all kinds of industries.
“For every trade we need working on a construction site in carpentry, in finishing trades, in the electrical trades, we also need people working in individual support, aged care, in nursing,” he said.
“Now is the time to be involved in apprenticeships and traineeships.”
South Australia would rely on the next generation of skilled workers, said state MP Robert Roylance, and training was the best investment a company could make.
At the awards are Max Biggs, with Sarah Tinkham and George McQuinn; George Allen, with Angie Kruger and Luke Randall; Shane Thomson and Ben Gilgen; and Jett Caputo with George McQuinn and Adam Wiles. Photos: Peri Strathearn.
MTE SA CEO Tony Gavros congratulated everyone whose hard work was being celebrated on the night.
“To be nominated and recognised by your host employers, lecturers, trainers, teachers, peers and field officers is a remarkable acknowledgement,” he said.
“Every person who was nominated tonight should feel proud of their achievement.”
Disclosure: The author attended the awards as a guest of MTE SA.
