2023 Apprentice Graduation and Awards Evening

If there is one thing we’re extremely proud of, it’s the CMI Toyota Apprentice Program. 
 

We have proudly run our Apprenticeship Program for over 20 years, and there’s nothing we enjoy more than welcoming our new apprentices and celebrating our graduating apprentice technicians each year at our Apprentice Graduation and Awards evening!

Watch the video below for a recap on this year’s fantastic event and hear from our Apprentices about the program that is kick starting their automotive career.

Apprentices, Graduates and their special guests gathered at our West Terrace dealership for the evening to enjoy beverages and delicious canapes by Indulgence Food Design. It was wonderful to come together and have the chance to reflect on and celebrate the achievements of our apprentices over the past year.

CMI Toyota management, industry leaders and mentors also attended the evening which provided a great opportunity for new and graduating Apprentices to mingle with those in their industry, and learn more about the many pathways available for them at CMI Toyota.

The Awards and Graduation Ceremony began with CMI Toyota Training & Development Manager, Darren Quinn, thanking everyone for attending the night and welcoming CMI Toyota Senior General Manager, Drew Ford, to the stage to present the awards and certificates, and recognize the incredible work of those involved in the CMI Toyota Apprentice Program.

The greatest contributors to the success of our Apprenticeship Program are our hardworking and dedicated Apprentice Mentors. Our Mentors are equipped with a wealth of knowledge and are committed to providing quality training for the apprentices, and assist in continuing their development throughout the training program.

To begin the Awards, we took the opportunity to recognise these incredible educators and their dedication to the program and its participants. Thank you to the following talented apprentice mentors:

• Graeme Edwards – 29 years experience and 12 years with the CMV Group.
• Ben Reudiger– 21 Years Experience, 10 years with CMI Toyota 
• Jason Greenham – 19 years with Toyota and is a Senior Diagnostic Technician and Foreman
• Chris Newman – 15 Years with Toyota, Suzuki & Toyota Diagnostic Technician
• Marco Matto – 30 Years Experience, 12 years with Lexus of Adelaide and is currently a Lexus Senior Diagnostic Technician.

Every year, Toyota Central Region hold a Toyota National Skills Competition, which is a great opportunity for Apprentices to get competitive with their peers and demonstrate their learnings. Apprentices complete a series of both practical and theory based tasks in front of judges from Toyota Australia.

During the Awards Ceremony, we also took the opportunity to recognize Aaron Radogna (2022 Graduate), Thomas Warnes (2022 Graduate) and Cameron Stewart (3rd Year), who participated in the Central Region National Skills Regional Finals last year!  Aaron Radogna went on to be crowned Apprentice Champion for Toyota Australia Central Region. What a fantastic achievement and we were extremely proud of all who competed.

Then we reached our favourite part of the evening, where we welcomed all our new and graduating apprentices to the stage to collect their certificates and also find out who had been recognised as our Apprentices of the Year.

Welcome to our 2023 Apprentices

Beau Baddack, Declan Crawford, Travis Iaccarino, Andrew Jelisavac, Harrison Kleinschafer, Asher Pelling, Jamie Watson, Madelyn Stefanovic, Meglyheng Chea, Boyd Purcell and Daniel Tran

2nd Year Apprentices

Jessica Cufone, Otis Gilchrist, Hamish Smith, Cooper Sleightholme, Mackenzie Aird, Vanessa Gaze, Dale Namocatcat and James Longinidis.

3rd Year Apprentices

Angus Dougal, Victor Enquiquez, Amber Ryan, Thomas Walker, Joshua Weston, Logan Langridge and Cameron Stewart.

2023 Graduates

Joel Slattery and Stella Henderson.

A big congratulations to the following Apprentices who were recognised as Apprentice of the Year and Runner-Up Apprentice of the Year:

1st Year Apprentice of the Year

James Longinidis
Runner-up – Jessica Cufone

2nd Year Apprentice of the Year

Cameron Stewart
Runner-up – Victor Enriquez

3rd Year Apprentice of the Year

Stella Henderson
Runner-up – Joel Slattery

We’d like to thank everyone who joined us on the night to celebrate our incredible Apprentices and their mentors. We cannot wait to see the careers of our graduates grow and where their learnings take them!

About the CMI Toyota Apprentice Program

CMI Toyota offers an exciting career within a diverse business, proudly fostering a work environment that encourages creativity, teamwork and innovation. This is a company philosophy supported by our strong leadership, high ethical standards and passion for safety. 

In January each year, successful CMI Toyota apprenticeship candidates commence a Toyota specific Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology. Training is conducted in partnership with TAFE SA and is complimented by specialised in-house training programs conducted in the purpose-built CMI Toyota Technical Training Centre. 

The Apprenticeship Program is overseen by CMI Toyota’s Training and Development Manager, Darren Quinn. CMI Toyota is committed to the development of highly skilled technicians that will excel in the servicing, diagnosis, and repair of modern motor vehicles along with providing exciting and challenging career opportunities for its employees.

Find out more here.