Pivovaroff – who recently completed a jewellery manufacturing apprenticeship and a gemmology diploma – was crowned South Australian Apprentice of the Year. She was one of four finalists narrowed down from 22 category entrants.
The awards were organised by South Australia’s independent Training and Skills Commission (TASC) and the Apprentice of the Year award was open to trainees and apprentices working in industries that fell under the state’s vocational education and training (VET) sector.
TASC chair Michael Boyce told Jeweller that Pivovaroff would now act as an ‘ambassador’ for the commission and represent South Australia in the Apprentice of the Year category at the Australian Training Awards in Canberra on 23 November.
“Laura Pivovaroff was named the 2017 Business SA Apprentice of the Year because of her clear passion for her industry and her determination to overcome a number of challenges, along with her positive attitude in understanding the benefits of securing employment in her industry whilst undertaking training,” Boyce said.
“Laura has an excellent understanding of the South Australian VET system and is looking forward to her role as an ambassador to promote the benefits of undertaking an apprenticeship in South Australia,” he added.
Opportunities abound
Pivovaroff, who completed her apprenticeship in December 2016 and has been employed at Wishart Jewellers in Adelaide for approximately 12 months, said she was “speechless” after hearing she had won the award.
“I'm so incredibly honoured to be able to say that I am the South Australian Apprentice of the Year and so grateful to everyone who has helped me along the way,” she stated.
“It's such an amazing opportunity to really show my passion for the jewellery trade.”
Pivovaroff also acknowledged the importance of being selected amongst apprentices working across a wide range of industries.
“Winning this award means that my passion and dedication was recognised within the jewellery industry as well as in the world outside of jewellery,” she said.
“I think that this award helps to build my reputation as a jeweller and will ultimately open up new opportunities for me now and in the future.”
Pivovaroff is in the running to win Australian Apprentice of the Year at the Australian Training Awards, which is a culmination of all state and territory winners in the category.
The jeweller explained she would arrive in Canberra on 20 November and would spend one week participating in judge interviews and professional development seminars, with the awards presentation ceremony taking place on 23 November.
This was not the first time Pivovaroff had been recognised for her skills, having received multiple awards in the past including a TAFE SA Manufacturing Jewellery Apprentice of the Year Award in 2014 and an Apprentice of the Year Award from the Academy of Jewellery Manufacture and Design (AJMD) in 2015.
Pivovaroff was also awarded the Emerging Talent Award at the Diamond Guild Australia (DGA) Jewellery Awards in 2015 and two awards from the Gemmological Association of Australia (GAA).
The South Australian Training Awards is said to recognise and reward individuals that excel in training as well as organisations for excellence in training delivery. There are a number of categories in addition to Apprentice of the Year.
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