Presentation of awards to Coles Supermarkets graduate apprentices

3/2/99

The Coles Supermarkets Graduation and Awards Ceremony, held last night at the City West Function Centre, highlighted the importance of high level skills for the supermarket industry according to Employment and Training Minister Graham Kierath.

Mr Kierath, who presented certificates and awards to the Coles graduate apprentices and trainees for 1998, said the supermarket industry was changing constantly.

"The introduction of new technology into stores is improving the level of customer service," he said.

"New products, such as gourmet ready-to-eat meals, value-added meats and international foods are being introduced to meet peoples' changing tastes and lifestyles.

"The Coles training programs are designed to help employees work better and smarter to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future."

Mr Kierath acknowledged the contribution of Western Australian Department of Training funded off-the-job training for Coles apprentices.

"In particular, the baking and meat industry training courses delivered by South East Metropolitan College of TAFE are well respected by the supermarket industry throughout the State," he said.

Major awards presented at the ceremony were:

·      1998 Coles Supermarkets WA Apprentice of the Year Award, won by Mark Cusak, a third year apprentice from Coles' Belmont store;

·      1998 Coles Supermarkets WA Retail Trainee of the Year, won by Daniel Mitton, management trainee also from the Belmont store; and -

·      1998 Coles Supermarkets WA Management Trainee Graduate of the Year, won by Matthew Alcock, grocery manager from the Forrestfield store.

Deakin University Certificate of Management High Achiever Award was won by Ann Wright, customer service manager from Albany.

Media contact: Steve Manchee 9213 6400