Riviera's Craig Folker wins runner up Australian apprentice of the Year

It was a proud and well-deserved moment for Craig Folker who was named national runner up in this year's Australian Training Awards, which were held in Canberra this month.

The 21-year-old completed his electrical apprenticeship at Riviera in June this year and has continued to exceed expectations.

The quiet achiever took out the regional finals on the Gold Coast in July before going to contest the state finals held in Brisbane in September.

Riviera CEO John Anderson said Craig deserved a pat on the back for his continued success.

"Craig is a mature, diligent and well-spoken young man and he will make a great ambassador for Riviera and the Queensland Training Awards," Mr Anderson said.

"While at work Craig is respectful, well groomed and works well with his peers. In this day and age as I watch work ethic diminish in our society's younger people, it has given me great hope that there are more young people like Craig, albeit hard to find or perhaps we have to look harder.

"I couldn't think of a better young man to represent Riviera, the state of Queensland and I have no doubt that Craig would represent Australia in a manner that would make us all proud."

Craig won $2,500 cash and said it was a very humbling experience.

"Everybody was so deserving and I couldn't be happier, I was very happy with runner up Australian Apprentice of the Year," Craig said.

Craig said he enjoyed the tours and activities including a professional development workshop, a tour through Parliament House and the War Memorial.

Education Ministers from every state and territory, including Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard, attended the awards ceremony held on November 19.

Craig's next challenge is the Construction Skills Queensland awards night held on Friday, November 27 and he hopes to join the Volunteer Marine Rescue organisation.

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