Ballarat carpentry apprentice Hamish Rose enjoyed a double victory on Friday night with honours from Master Builders Association of Victoria naming him State Apprentice of the Year and Regional Apprentice of the Year for 2016. Rose, 28, received his dual awards at a ceremony in front of more than 700 guests at the Melbourne Park Function Centre in East Melbourne. He won nearly $5000 worth of tools, work wear and vouchers for his achievement.

Victorian Skills Commissioner Neil Coulson was present on the evening to recognise the achievements of this year’s apprentices.

“The focus of Victoria’s VET system is to align training with labour market demand,” Commissioner Coulson said.  “Tonight’s group of award recipients reflect the continuing importance of apprenticeships as the critical and enduring pathway for skills in the Victorian building industry.”

Master Builders CEO Radley de Silva said Hamish exemplified the skills, work ethic and positive attitude required to be a successful tradesperson in the building and construction industry.

“Hamish demonstrates an exceptional work ethic, and his sincerity is clear in the enjoyment he gets from seeing clients excited about their new home,” he said.

“I find it so rewarding to see this gifted and committed pool of building talent among our apprentices in Victoria. The challenge, as always, is selecting just one winner,” Mr de Silva said.

Hamish says he plans to become a registered builder, build quality homes in his local area and someday employ his own apprentices.

“Hamish shared with us that taking on the challenge of an apprenticeship as a mature‐aged tradesperson was the best thing he had ever done,” Mr de Silva said.

“Greater life experience has given him a fuller understanding of the construction process, and this illustrates that the building and construction industry offers career opportunities for a broad range of people,” he said.

Hamish will represent Victoria at the annual Excellence in Building and Construction Awards to be held at Parliament House, Canberra on 24 November where the National Apprentice of the Year will be announced.

 

Other winners are:

Metropolitan Apprentice of the Year

Nick Burnham, Frankston South, employed by Swell Construction, attends Murray Mallee Training Company.

Regional Apprentice of the Year

Hamish Rose, Ballarat, employed by Tripp Building Pty Ltd, attends FedUni TAFE.

Female Apprentice of the Year

Ebony Griffin, Beaconsfield, employed by Redwood Joinery, attends Chisholm TAFE.

Employer Nominated Award Winner

Toby Sudweeks, Geelong, employed by Archibald Builders, attends The Gordon.

Student of the Year

Tracy Howard, Blampied, attends Federation University Australia.

Florence M Taylor Award Winner

Steed Goldburg, Lara, employed by Byrne Construction Systems Pty Ltd, attends The Gordon.
Presidents’ Award Winner
Trystan Sammut, Haddon, employed by Brendan Williams Bricklaying, attends FedUni TAFE.
Bricklaying and Blocklaying Apprentice of the Year
Kelly Dobbyn-Dodunski, Preston, employed by The Masonry Men, attends Holmesglen Institute of TAFE.
Carpentry Apprentice of the Year
Nick Burnham, Frankston South, employed by Swell Construction, attends Murray Mallee Training Company.
Joinery Apprentice of the Year
Timothy Lockhart, Narre Warren, employed by ProSolid, attends Holmesglen Institute of TAFE.
Stonemasonry Apprentice of the Year 
Nyunt Oo, Corio, employed by WM Buckle & Sons Pty Ltd, attends Holmesglen Institute of TAFE.
Wall and Ceiling Lining Apprentice of the Year
Jonty Moore, Romseyn, attends Skill Training Victoria.
Painting and Decorating Apprentice of the Year
Ryan Czernckyj, Eltham, employed by Higgins Coatings, attends Melbourne Polytechnic.
Wall and Floor Tiling Apprentice of the Year 
Jessica Ross, Bendigo, employed by Trevor Showell Tiling, attends Skill Training Victoria.