You’ll never feel alone when you embark on an apprenticeship with us

Completing an apprenticeship with Australian Industry Group means you’ll never feel alone on the journey.

That was the message from one of our apprentices, Sarah Hunn Mozes, who took part in a panel discussion about group training at the Victorian Apprenticeship Employment Network Conference this week.

Sarah, named 2025 AEN Awards Female Apprentice of the Year, was joined on the panel of three by fellow Australian Industry Group apprentice Max Neagle, the Overall Apprentice of the Year at the 2025 AEN Awards.

Sarah said regular check‑ins with her field officer, Shannon Voss‑Smith, meant she felt supported all the way.

A welding apprentice hosted to Convair Engineering, Sarah spoke candidly about the challenges of being a mature‑aged apprentice working in a male‑dominated environment.

However, catch-ups with Shannon every six weeks boosted her confidence and made her feel encouraged and reassured.

Working with “a great bunch of co‑workers” at Convair is a bonus.

Meanwhile, Max, who recently completed his mechanical fitter apprenticeship and has successfully transitioned to full-time employment with ARB Corporation, called for schools to better promote vocational pathways, such as apprenticeships and traineeships.

He said it was disappointing many students were still told they had to go to uni to succeed.

His views were heard by senior sector leaders and decision‑makers including:

• Federal Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles (in main photo with, from left, Max, fellow apprentice Jesse Purcell-Tamihana and Sarah);
• Victorian Skills Authority CEO Craig Robertson;
• CEOs and leaders from interstate AEN networks and
• representatives from the apprenticeship and vocational education sectors across Australia.

After the panel discussion, many in the audience approached Sarah and Max and congratulated them on their professionalism, authenticity and maturity.

Their insights resonated strongly with the audience, and their participation helped shine a spotlight on the benefits of group training.

Well done, Sarah and Max!

Australian Industry Group Apprentice and Trainee Centre is a group training organisation (GTO). We play a key role in facilitating the apprenticeship and traineeship system. Find out more about the benefits of completing an apprenticeship with a GTO here.