The Apprentice of the Year awards presentation was opened by SIA President Mr Colin Johnsen (CEO of FJ Precision) who introduced our official guests: The Hon. Dr Brendan Nelson MP, Australian Government Minister for Education, Science & Training; The Hon John Aquilina MP, Speaker for the Legislative Assembly NSW; Mr Georg Hutteter, our major sponsor Salvagnini Australian representative Machinery Forum; Luca Belgiorno-Nettis, Patron SIA Sculpture Awards; Katherine Curic, Assistant Director Facility of Manufacturing & Engineering South Western Sydney Institute of TAFE; Ms Robin Pullbrook Principal of Campbelltown Performing Arts High School and Mr Brian Kerwood, Director Training Services Australian Industry Group (AIG).

Colin also acknowledged the prestigious sponsors BlueScope Steel, Onesteel George Ward Sheet & Coil, Transfield, Sheetmetal Tooling Technologies and Capral Aluminum for their contribution to the success of the awards with Advance Metal Products and Custom Built Sheet Metal who again supplied the plaques and trophies.

SIA Sub Committee Chair Walter Suber, Business Development Manager Onesteel George Ward Sheet & Coil introduced the five finalists for the 2003 Apprentice of the Year.

Walter Suber announced the recipients of the major awards for 2003:

Encouragement Award : Tyler Gibbons nominated by teacher Gary Hibbert.
Highly Commended : Ross Tindle nominated by teacher Hilton Jones.
Apprentice of the Year : Jason Siebert nominated by teacher Kevin Brown

“Encouragement Award” Presented to Tyler Gibbons by Katherine Curic

“ Highly Commended Award” Presented to Ross Tindle by Brian Kerwood

Music for the awards night was provided by Campbelltown Performing Arts High School Band Ensemble who staged a concert supported by student vocalists. The SIA acknowledged the performance with the presentation of a commemorative plaque and donation to the school for the purchase of musical instruments and equipment .