L/R: Alan Sparks, East Coast Apprenticeships, and Simon Bell

Simon Bell from Clontarf, Brisbane, began his electrical apprenticeship with East Coast Apprenticeships and Thiess Kentz on 13th November 2006. 17 months later, in April 2008, Simon completed his trade training on the unique Thiess Apprenticeships Training Scheme (TATS). This revolutionary programme offers adult apprentices advanced entry into a 2-stage trade training pathway that has achieved extraordinary progress and results.

Simon came from a Qantas background and in the TATS programme's first stage gained significant credits which resulted in his advanced entry status. He has worked very hard on major Thiess Kentz projects across Queensland, completing his gap training requirements to achieve his full trade qualification in record time. As the first electrical graduate of TATS, Simon joins 25 others who gained their trade qualifications in metal fabrication over an average period of 13 months.

Thiess Kentz would like to congratulate Simon on this magnificent achievement and wish him all the best in his future with the Company.

Back Row L-R: Conor O'Brien, Dave Nugent, Cathal Coffey, Neil Parnham, Morgan Ryan, Mick Mulcahy and Bob Greaney. Front Row L-R: Tom Dee, Siobhan Greaney, Catriona Nugent, Niamh Moloney, Avril Prout, Fergal Holohan. Missing from photo are Kelly O'Shea and Mairead Roche.

Congratulations to Kentz Krusaders on winning their first four matches in the 2008 Clonmel RFC Tag Rugby Tournament. Managed and trained by Bob Greaney, they have become a team to be reckoned with in the tournament. With the fast pace of the boys and brilliant tagging abilities of the girls, they are on course for the finals on Thursday 10th July.

Tag rugby, which has become a craze over the past number of summers in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick, hit Clonmel with a bang last summer. It is a fun game, with no physical contact of any kind allowed. The teams are mixed, with each team comprising of seven players, which must include two ladies at all times.

For the 2008 tournament, a series of games are played on Thursday nights at the Clonmel RFC grounds, with each team playing one game every week. This culminates on Thursday 3rd July when the last of the group stages are played. The finals take place on Thursday 10th July with teams playing from quarter finals to the final. This means the top two teams will have to play three games each to reach the final. We wish Kentz Krusaders the best of luck for the remainder of the tournament.

EDipLM Set 4 participants: Standing L-R: Mark Preston, Brendan Toomey, Catriona Nugent, Joe Golden, Domenic Botha, Dino Maltezakis, Darren Ivers, Ross O'Muirthile and Takis Karallis. Seated L-R: Shaji Balakrishwan, Vincent Scurria, Eric Sandelands, Brendan Smith and Steve Durant.

The new participants attended the graduation dinner on 28th May and had the chance to hear all about the course from the outgoing EDipLM graduates. This meant the new students discovered first-hand about the action-learning process and the time and effort required to successfully complete the course.

Dr. Hugh O'Donnell conducted a workshop mapping out Kentz global strategy after the graduation ceremony. It was well received by all and set the context for the programme.

The first workshop, entitled Essentials of Management, covered:

Planning Process Managing Quality Project Management Manual and Briefing Kentz Systems Managerial Communications

Time Management Financial Management People Management Managing Client Relationships Learning Process

Following the workshop, participants worked in teams to analyse the implications of what they have learned in relation to implementing selected strategic projects. We wish you all the best of luck in completing the course.