Joshua Pyke, 26, from Stawell, Victoria, is Kangan Institute’s Student of the Year, honoured for his passion for the transport industry.
Joshua was presented with the coveted prize at the recent Kangan Institute’s annual Industry Excellence Awards in Melbourne where more than 80 vocational students amd apprentices were recognised.
A third-generation truck driver, Joshua started driving at 19, working 60-70 hours a week at Thomas Foods International while completing his Certificate III in Supply Chain Operations.
“It was my destiny, it just had to be done,” Joshua said.
For him, trucking is more than a career; it’s in his blood.
“The open road, the freedom, and seeing the country we live in – that’s what I love about it.”
Balancing full-time work, and study was intense, but Joshua made it work and praised the facilities and his supportive teachers.
“It was good to go back to the learning environment. If you want something, you just make it work,” he reflects.
That mindset saw him excel as a driver and the OHS representative for the transport side of the company.
Joshua’s achievements extend beyond his career. A former school captain and winner of the Australian Defence Force Long Tan Award, Josh also established a scholarship at his local high school, inspired by his mother’s tireless efforts to provide for their family.
“Students need the resources and financial help, so I take it upon my own shoulders. It all goes towards whatever they need to get through school.”
When asked if he’s proud of his journey, Joshua is humble but resolute.
“I’m proud of the challenges I’ve faced and how far I’ve come. There will always be challenges, but you just have to persevere. Turning back is not an option. Just soldier on.”
Joshua has his sights set on running the transport operations for Thomas Foods International, though he jokes that he’ll never fully leave the driver’s seat.
In addition to the Kangan Institute Student of the Year, Joshua was also awarded the prize for Outstanding Student: Certificate III in Supply Chain Operations, sponsored by Crescent Tools.
Other automotive industry award winners at the Kangan event included:
School-Based Apprentice/Trainee (SBAT) of the Year: Automotive
Sponsored by Century Yuasa Batteries Pty Ltd
Aidan Bonato
Automotive Pre-apprentice of the Year Award
Sponsored by Training Systems Australia
William Brownlee
Automotive Centre of Excellence Star Apprentice Award
Sponsored by Kangan Institute
Cooper Fitzsimons
Automotive Apprentice of the Year: Automotive Body Repair
Sponsored by 3M
Jordan Parker
Automotive Apprentice of the Year: Automotive Body Repair – Sheen Group
Sponsored by Sheen Group
Joshua Dryden
Automotive Apprentice of the Year: Automotive Refinishing Technology (Key client)
Sponsored by Sheen Group
Colin Mills
Automotive: Apprentice of the Year: Heavy Vehicle
Sponsored by Westar Paterson Cheney
Surender Kumar
Automotive Apprentice of the Year: Heavy Vehicle (Key client)
Sponsored by Kangan Institute’s Automotive Centre of Excellence
Nelson Grech
Automotive Apprentice of the Year: Heavy Vehicle (Bus)
Sponsored by AMWU
Lili Usher-Chander
Automotive Apprentice of the Year: Automotive Electrical
Sponsored by NAPA
Haydn Wilde
Automotive Electrical Achievement Award
Sponsored by Training Systems Australia
Dante Akin
Automotive Apprentice Rising Star: Auto Body
Sponsored by Saint Gobain Abrasives
Andrew Nguyen
Automotive Apprentice of the Year: Automotive Refinishing Technology
Sponsored by PPG Australia
Joel Marotta
Automotive Apprentice of the Year: Automotive Parts Interpreting
Sponsored by Gates Australia
George Paterson
Inspirational Student of the Year: Automotive
Sponsored by SP Tools
Andrew Ouranios
Alice Anderson Award
Sponsored by Trades Women Australia
Brynn Luker
The Lindsay Fox Heavy Vehicle Technician Excellence Award
Sponsored by Kangan Institute’s Automotive Centre of Excellence
Xavier Pitman
A.R. (Dick) Jackson Award
Sponsored by Rotary Club of Coburg
Ekrem Has
Apprentice of the Year: Automotive/Lionel Gell School of Instruction Award
Sponsored by Henry Royce Foundation
Michael Mercer
Sir Henry Royce Foundation Award for Excellence
Sponsored by Henry Royce Foundation
Beaudon Nash