Awards recognise quiet achievers

Young people, their employers and volunteers are all being celebrated in the latest two rounds of South Taranaki awards.

The 2016 South Taranaki Community and the South Taranaki Youth to Work awards have both opened for nominations and will be handed out at separate ceremonies.

The biennial South Taranaki Community awards are designed to acknowledge quiet achievers, the volunteers who keep things going behind the scenes, supporting local community groups, sports teams and those in need.

‘‘You could nominate individuals or groups who have shown initiative to make a difference in the community, or have dedicated their time assisting others such as a sports coach or community volunteer or beautifying a public place for example,’’ said co-ordinator Michelle Commerer.

Nominations can be made across two categories, individual volunteer and organisation volunteer. The Youth to Work Awards have several different categories,

‘‘You could nominate individuals or groups...’’

Michelle Commerer

employers, education, training and work experience providers and young achiever aged 16-19 and 20-24.

‘‘The South Taranaki Youth to Work Awards are a celebration of young people and the employers and educators supporting them to achieve success,’’ said organiser Marcia Haigh. Nominees across all categories must be based in South Taranaki.

She said the employers award was designed to acknowledge and celebrate those providing an apprenticeship to a person aged 16-24. The education, training and work experience award looked at those providing opportunities that led to a qualification for at least one young person.

It is the first time the young achiever awards have been separated into two categories.

‘‘These awards are to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of young people who are consistently achieving above and beyond expectations in the workplace or whilst working towards a qualification in education, training or an apprenticeship.’’

Young achiever nominees must be working towards an education qualification, training or an apprenticeship within South Taranaki.

Nomination forms are available at LibraryPlus centres, the council’s Hawera Administration building and South Taranaki i-SITE Visitors Centre.