Inspiring the Next Generation at Lunch with the Winners

The Australian Industry Group Apprentice & Trainee Centre was proud to once again participate in this year’s Lunch with the Winners event, with Stakeholder Engagement Manager Craig Hilton, Employment & Training Consultant Matt Muller and apprentice Amy Peake attending the long-running careers event in Melbourne’s south-east.

Celebrating its 21st year, Lunch with the Winners is delivered through a partnership between the City of Greater Dandenong and South East Local Learning and Employment Network (SELLEN). The annual event brings together more than 100 students from local schools across the region to hear firsthand from people who have successfully navigated their own career journeys and to learn about the many pathways available after school.

Students heard from a range of guest speakers throughout the day, including inspiring stories of resilience, entrepreneurship and career development. A key highlight was a panel discussion featuring apprentices from different industries, who shared their experiences and insights into undertaking an apprenticeship.

Representing the Australian Industry Group ATC on the panel was Amy Peake, who is completing an Electrical Apprenticeship hosted with Aggreko in Braeside.

Amy spoke confidently and candidly about her apprenticeship journey, sharing both the opportunities and challenges she encountered while pursuing a trade career. One of the strongest messages from her presentation centred on overcoming stereotypes.

During her time at school, Amy knew she wanted to pursue a trade, but she recalled being encouraged towards roles that were traditionally viewed as more suitable for women.

“When I told people I wanted to get into a trade, many assumed that meant becoming a hairdresser,” Amy explained during the discussion.

Rather than letting those perceptions influence her decision, Amy remained focused on her goals, pursued an electrical apprenticeship opportunity through the Australian Industry Group Apprentice & Trainee Centre, and was successfully placed with Aggreko.

She described securing her apprenticeship as one of her proudest achievements and encouraged students to back themselves when considering future career options.

When asked what advice she would give to young people thinking about applying for an apprenticeship, Amy emphasised the importance of preparation, persistence and making the most of every opportunity available.

Her message was simple but powerful: focus on the small things that can help you stand out, continue developing your skills and experience, and be ready to seize opportunities when they arise.

Amy repeatedly reinforced the importance of perseverance, reminding students that success often comes from consistently putting yourself in the best position to achieve your goals.

The panel discussion provided students with valuable insights into the realities of apprenticeship pathways, including the rewards of learning on the job, building practical skills and creating long-term career opportunities across a range of industries.

We are incredibly proud of Amy’s contribution to the event. We would like to thank her host Aggreko for being so supportive of apprentices and encouraging Amy’s participation in this event. She represented both herself and the apprenticeship pathway exceptionally well, providing an authentic and inspiring perspective for the students in attendance.

Events such as Lunch with the Winners play an important role in helping young people explore career options, connect with industry and gain confidence in their future pathways.

We thank the City of Greater Dandenong, South East Local Learning and Employment Network (SELLEN) and all event organisers for their ongoing commitment to supporting young people and creating meaningful connections between education and employment.

Well done, Amy, on sharing your story and inspiring the next generation of apprentices.