Workers win praise for their super skills

Five supermarket employees in Hawke's Bay have won special distinction awards for their outstanding capabilities in on-the-job skills and industry-related certificate courses.

They include presentation of the Butchery Apprentice of the Year Supreme Award to Alexander Harper from Hastings City New World at the annual lower North Island Foodstuffs staff training awards.

The celebration was held by Foodstuffs Wellington Cooperative Society Ltd at the TSB Bank Arena in Wellington earlier this month.

First equal in the Trainer of the Year Awards were Bronwyn Newton from Greenmeadows New World and Peggy Lotter from Napier City Pak'n Save.

Luke McGarvie of Hastings City New World won the Bakery Workshop Award and Wendy Oliver of Dannevirke New World won the Seafood Special Recognition Award.

At the awards, a total of 29, including the five from Hawke's Bay, received special recognition from the 200-plus staff who either completed NZQA-approved qualifications this year or were placed in checkout, trainer or assessor competitions.

Lower North Island Foodstuffs staff training awards:

Butchery Apprentice of the Year Supreme Award, sponsored by Tegel Foods - Alexander Harper, Hastings City New World; Trainer of the Year, sponsored by Cardinal Solutions - first equal, Bronwyn Newton, Greenmeadows New World and Peggy Lotter, Napier City Pak'nSave;

Bakery Workshop Award, sponsored by Yarrows & Gilles - Luke McGarvie, Hastings City New World;

Seafood Special Recognition Award, sponsored by New Zealand King Salmon - Wendy Oliver, Dannevirke New World;

Butchery Apprentice of the Year Supreme Award, Alexander Harper, Hastings City New World.