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FIRST SA INDUSTRY LEADERS FUND GRANTS ANNOUNCED

The Managing Director of a highly successful SA electronics manufacturer and a software applications engineer are recipients of the inaugural Industry Leaders Fund Grants. The grants were announced by Minister for Industry and Trade, the Hon Tom Koutsantonis, on December 9 at an Awards Ceremony held at the Stamford Plaza, Adelaide. Managing Director of electronics manufacturer REDARC Electronics, Mr Anthony Kittel, was granted $30,000 towards attending the first year of the Owner/President Management Program offered by the renowned US Harvard Business School. Miss Christine Stock, Software Applications Engineer and Training Instructor with Cadgroup, received two grants to further her leadership training: $6,000 to meet the cost of attending the Professional Management Program offered by the University of Adelaide; and $7,000 to attend the Autodesk University Technical Conference in Las Vegas. “Grants of up to $50,000 were made available during the first grants call held in July this year. This funding provides ideal opportunities for future leaders to realise their potential and make their aspirations a reality,” Minister Koutsantonis said. The Industry Leaders Fund (ILF) was formerly the Engineering Employers Association South Australia Group Training Scheme (EEAGTS). The apprentice training business was transferred to the Australian Industry Group in July 2009. The EEAGTS Board decided to use the invested funds remaining from the apprentice training operation to advantage, by creating the Fund to provide opportunities for future leaders. ILF CEO Mr Geoff Vogt, said the assessment panel was very impressed by the standard of applicants responding to the first call for applications. He said the recipients showed great promise in their chosen fields and wished them well with their career aspirations. Mr Anthony Kittel, CEO/Managing Director, REDARC Electronics Pty Ltd, started work as a Trainee Engineer at BHP Long Products division in Whyalla in 1983 and acquired REDARC in 1998 when it had a turnover of $0.7m and eight employees. REDARC now has a turnover of $12m and 60 employees. “The ILF believes that Anthony has already achieved significant demonstrated progress in his working life and by way of contribution to the community, and expects the Harvard course nominated by him will set him up for even greater success in the future. His clear commitment to South Australia should see his future success in developing and growing manufacturing industry flow over to significant wealth and job creation in this state.” said ILF CEO Geoff Vogt. Christine Stock, Software Applications Engineer and Software Training Instructor, Cadgroup, started work as an apprentice engineer with the EEAGTS in 2001. She joined Cadgroup in Sydney in 2008 and will open their first branch in Adelaide in 2011. “Christine has been a high achiever since school days, through her apprenticeship, and in her work career. Her achievements are in the fields of personal success and in contribution to the community and demonstrate natural leadership ability. ILF was convinced that the Autodesk University program will provide her with superior CAD knowledge which will drive her personal success and allow her to deliver a superior standard of training. This higher standard of training will in turn allow future engineers and CAD users to strongly contribute to the wealth creation potential of the manufacturing industry in South Australia. The Adelaide University Professional Management Program will provide a springboard that will allow Christine to consider the next phase of her career in the management and leadership arena.” said ILF CEO Geoff Vogt. The ILF Grants scheme will be conducted annually, with the next call opening on April 1 and closing on 31 May next year. Applicants are advised to check the ILF website at www.industryleaders.com.au for more information. Further detail of the recipients and their work follows in the Background Section. Enquiries to: Geoff Vogt CEO, Industry Leaders Fund Phone: 08 8300 0130 or 0457 900 202 Email: ceo@industryleaders.com.au www.industryleaders.com.au