December 4 2009
Second year carpenter William Monaei was awarded the QBuild Queensland Indigenous Person of the Year Award at the 2009 CSQ (Construction Skills Queensland) excellence awards in November.
William said he was thrilled to have won the award.
“When I joined the Laing O’Rourke apprenticeship program I was told to give it 100 per cent commitment and the rest will fall into place, and that is exactly what has happened here,†William said.
“I love being a role model for my people, it shows them that you can achieve if you put in the effort,†William said. “The program is backed up by a mentor for each apprentice which is excellent support during those trying times we are all faced with from time to time.â€
Laing O’Rourke Training Coordinator Michelle Cook said William had worked hard during the past few years carving out a career in construction, beginning with a pre-vocational course.
“He enrolled in an Indigenous program with CSQ and helped build a community centre in the Caboolture area,†Michelle said.
“CSQ have seen his development over the years and can now see he is beginning to pave a career for himself since joining Laing O’Rourke’s apprenticeship program. William has a bright future with the company by continually challenging himself. “
William was the first Indigenous employee to be signed into the Laing O’Rourke apprenticeship program.
Photo caption: Fellow Laing O’Rourke apprentices celebrate with William Monaei’s win. (Pictured left to right) Matthew Tuohey, Sara Pickering, Hugh Moulton, and William Monaei
