November 11, 2014

Named after the Company’s founder, Mr Allan George Coombs AM*, the Allan Coombs Training Award commenced in 2000 and is conferred annually. Recipients of the award also receive an endowment of $2,500, with an identical amount donated to the winner’s charity of choice which, this year, was The Heart Foundation.

This is Nick’s first industry award, and was presented at the A.G. Coombs Annual Dinner & Awards Night on Saturday 11 October 2014 in front of 700 guests.

“I’m very happy to have received the 2014 Allan Coombs Training Award”, stated Nick on receiving the award. “The competition this year was tough – all finalists deserve to be recognised for their contribution and achievements. I’ve really enjoyed my apprenticeship and have learned so much along the way. The people with whom I work are incredible, and this award also reflects on their support and encouragement. I’m excited about building my future career with A.G. Coombs.”

The A.G. Coombs Group strongly supports Australian apprenticeships, recognising that they are the best way to combine training and entry point employment, often leading to a nationally recognised qualification and career path. A.G. Coombs’ Managing Director, Mr Russell Telford, continues to support this notion.

“Our long history in apprenticeship training and development continues to be further strengthened with our Apprenticeship Program, helping to ensure that apprentices make the most of their training opportunities and become effective and capable tradespeople with a great future in the industry. We combine professional mentoring and active engagement with partner educational facilities to continually track training progress and to help ensure that the educational curriculum is appropriate to workplace and apprentice needs. The Allan Coombs Training Award is a significant accomplishment for any apprentice who receives it. Nick has been an invaluable member of the team; we’re proud to support him on his journey and look forward to working with him over the many years to come.”
* In 1945 Allan Coombs founded A.G. Coombs and under his leadership the company expanded and grew throughout the 60s, 70s and 80s into one of the region’s leading air conditioning, refrigeration and mechanical services specialists. Allan Coombs’ influence went well beyond the boundaries of A.G. Coombs. He was a strong supporter and contributor to the growth of the industry itself. Realising the need for a strong and cohesive voice for the mechanical services industry, Allan Coombs played a leading role in the establishment of the Air-conditioning and Mechanical Contractors Association (AMCA). A.G. Coombs Pty Ltd was a founding member and Allan Coombs himself was the inaugural president in 1961. Developing the skills of our industry as well as his own staff was a passion and major strength of Allan Coombs, which forms an integral part of the Company’s philosophy today including the annual awarding of the Allan Coombs Training Achievement Award.

For his contribution to the industry and training including the apprenticeship system in particular, Allan George Coombs was awarded an Order of Australia in Australia Day Honours in 1979.

In 2010, Allan Coombs was posthumously admitted into the ARBS Hall of Fame owing to his admirable legacy of continuous improvement, innovation, training and industry leadership, which remains evident across the Company and the industry today.