Caroline Hammat
Early morning starts have paid off for Millicent apprentice Melissa Tilley who has celebrated the final year of her apprenticeship with an award.
Ms Tilley was named as the fourth-year apprentice of the year at the recent Group Training Employment’s (GTE) annual Apprentice and Trainee of the Year Awards.
Beginning her career as a teenager in her father’s business, Andy’s Bakery, Ms Tilley first completed a traineeship working front of shop.
Following the traineeship Ms Tilley, then aged 19, was successful in applying for an apprenticeship through GTE with most of her training in-house.
The recent expansion of Andy’s Bakery to include a coffee and cake shop allowed Ms Tilley the opportunity to try new and different baking techniques.
Beginning her working day at 4am, she bakes cakes and other treats for the day’s trade.
“I can do a lot more in the coffee shop than what I was able to do next door in the bakery side, which is more traditional pastries” she said
“I’ve got a lot of freedom, if there is anything I ever want to make I can just make it.
“I’ve been really enjoying doing the birthday cakes lately, and working with people who come with their different ideas.”
Ms Tilley had to travel to Adelaide three or four times a year during the last couple of years of her apprenticeship to undertake practical training at TAFE.
“They would have apprentices from everywhere across Adelaide and from down here.
“It was heaps of fun, getting to stay in a hotel for a couple of days, but towards the end I was a little bit sick of travelling” she said.
Ms Tilley’s apprenticeship officially ends on July 1 and she plans on staying in her current position as a fully qualified baker and pastry cook.
Unable to attend the presentation night, representatives came to Millicent and presented Ms Tilley with her certificate and a cheque for $200.
