Nationwide director Barry Jackson, Cameron’s Fine Jewellers’ Judy Cameron, Nationwide Apprentice of the Year 2014 Jyothi Forman (Georgie’s Fine Jewellery) and Nationwide md Colin Pocklington. The Nationwide Jewellers group has contributed over $50,000 in apprenticeship support since 2009.
Under the Nationwide Jewellers Apprenticeship Support scheme which is now in its seventh year of operation, the buying group’s members can nominate their jewellery or watchmaker apprentices to receive a $500 tools voucher for redemption at Australian Jewellers Supplies or $400 in cash towards fees and expenses.
Nationwide Jewellers director Barry Jackson said enrolment applications for the 2015 scheme were sent to all Nationwide members in Australia and New Zealand last month.
“As a significant organisation in the jewellery industry, we consider it important to support young people who are starting out in their jewellery careers,” he said.
The apprentice support scheme was launched in response to the buying group’s concerns about the low number of young apprentices employed in the jewellery industry.
“We may well be heading towards a significant shortage of qualified jewellers in the years ahead,” said Jackson at the time.