NECA Education & Careers annual awards

Ryan Allen – Ryan is hosted by RBD Electrical, where he conducts himself with an excellent attitude and a genuine enjoyment of his work. He is proactive and approachable, working effectively with tradespeople and clients alike. 

Cooper Quinn – From his commencement Cooper impressed his host, RBD Electrical, with his focus, ability, and hunger to learn. His commitment to safety has seen technicians request to work with him as they see him as a key player who already has so much to offer.

Jayse Andrewartha – Jayse is hosted by the Department of State Growth. He is diligent in following safety procedures, and is a supportive team member who is always mindful of the wellbeing of those around him. Becoming a second year apprentice flicked a switch for Jayse, and his work now looks like that of a qualified tradesperson. 

Rohan Fordham – Rohan demonstrates capability, maturity, and leadership well beyond his current year level in his work with host employer Prowire. He works well in team environments and is skilled at interpreting drawings, planning tasks, and allocating resources while maintaining safety and quality. 

Darcy Ponte-Keserue – Due to the broad nature of work completed by his host, TCM, Darcy has gained a deeper understanding of the industry, working alongside fridge mechanics and plumbers. He continually asks questions on how he can improve during his apprenticeship.  

Noah Sward – Noah is hosted by FIP Electrical, and he never shies away from a task that appears difficult or undesirable. Both on site and in the classroom he shows persistence in completing tasks and takes pride in finishing work accurately and to a high standard.  

Brock Webb – With host employer RBD Electrical, Brock has found the balance between confidence in his current abilities and recognising when a task requires further learning. This gives senior technicians and customers confidence in his work. 

Izaak Austen – Izaak is a dependable team member at his host company, Degree C. He completes his off-the-job training with ease and has a willingness to adapt and improve. He has an incredible thirst for knowledge, completes assessments to an exceptionally high standard, and assists classmates who are struggling. 

Izak Gordon – Izak is valued by his host Contact Group for approaching his work in a thoughtful, methodical, and efficient manner. He sets himself apart with his commitment, being punctual, well prepared and engaged, contributing positively to discussions and site visits. 

Luke Johnson – Luke is also with Contact Group. He consistently leads by example and has built strong working relationships both on site and in the office environment. He is resilient and adaptable when it comes to working across different tasks and branches of the electrical industry. 

Vicram Kumar – Vicram is another Contact Group apprentice, who has demonstrated outstanding growth during his work on the Institute for Marine and Antarctic studies laboratory gas system installation. He approached complex mechanical requirements with confidence and worked safely in a green field site environment. 

Tom Sullivan – Tom is hosted by RBD Electrical, where he has greatly improved from the beginning of his apprenticeship, showing initiative and willingness to take on additional responsibilities.  Tom will regularly take advantage of a lull in work to clean and organise the work site. 

Isaac Van Winden – Isaac strives to achieve excellence within his apprenticeship with M5 Electrical. From his commencement, he has approached every job with enthusiasm and professionalism, showing a strong aptitude for picking up new tasks. 

Kasey Gray – Kasey is hosted by Building Automation Controls, where her dedication and leadership skills set her apart from her peers and from previous apprentices. She shows competence beyond what is expected of a fourth year apprentice and her excellent communication skills and collaborative approach make Kasey a valuable team member at every level. 

Ryan Hudson – Ryan has shown significant growth and development since being hosted to Prowire Group as a third-year apprentice. Supervisors consistently note that Ryan is working above his year level, with abilities comparable to, or in some cases exceeding, those of qualified technicians. 

Kye Jackson – Kye was hosted to Contact Electrical for the duration of his apprenticeship, recently completing his apprenticeship and continuing as a qualified electrical technician and valued team member. He was often requested by supervisors for his in-depth knowledge of project scope and design, part of his appetite to continue broadening his knowledge in all technical areas of the trade. 

Baxter Lewis – Baxter is hosted by Frontline Electrical, where he played a pivotal role the Upper Reservoir SCADA Upgrade, taking ownership of the project from start to finish. He incorporated sophisticated instruments and expertly coordinated other trades and services. 

Daniel Partridge – Daniel’s host employer Banks Electrical & Solar describe him as a huge asset and among the best of their apprentices, high praise given that one of their previous apprentices was a National Apprentice of the Year winner. Daniel approaches every task with care and attention to detail, and displays a high level of focus and ability to retain information. 

William Di Mieri – William has demonstrated outstanding effort in class, asking thoughtful questions and engaging positively in both theory and practical learning. Vast Electrical Services consider him an asset, and he exhibits a solid grasp of fundamental electrical principles and safe work practices. 

Alaska Di Sciascio – Prepared and inquisitive, Alaska is a standout student in a class of high achievers. On site with ARA Electrical Services, she has distinguished herself through intelligence, confidence, and curiosity, and represents the best of the next generation of tradespeople, someone who has the potential to shape the future of the company and the industry. 

Aidan Lake – Aidan has been a role model for safety with his employer Rizzo Electrical Contracting. He shows a natural curiosity for the electrical field and looks to absorb learning wherever he can, wanting to fully understand what he is doing and applying himself to tasks with an open mind. Aidan has the confidence to find his way through a challenge, and his employer has seen few apprentices take such pride in what they do. 

Nissa Wall – Nissa has shown a clear ability to apply what she learns in the classroom to work on site with employer ARA Electrical Services, and an understanding of how the classroom practice helps her work more safely and efficiently in the field. She consistently arrives on site prepared and punctual and prioritises work to meet operational requirements in a fast-paced environment at Melbourne Airport.

Stuart Barnden – Beginning at Powerplus as an assembly worker, Stuart was offered an apprenticeship due to his willingness to learn and improve. He also has a proactive attitude to safety, becoming a fire warden and first aider, and gaining his forklift licence. Stuart is willing to lend a hand to anyone who needs it on site or in class and has a promising future in the electrical industry.

Joshua Cardamone – Joshua is a hard-working apprentice who shows initiative and a genuine desire to support his team at Vast Electrical Services beyond his core duties. His professional attitude has been noticed on- and off-the-job, where he speaks positively about his work on site. 

Jack Carroll – Jack shows a clear interest in learning how classroom theory connects to real-world applications, engaging in discussions to deepen his understanding, and staying back to talk about his work in heavy industrial with Craneaid. On site Jack applies himself 100 per cent and involves himself with all team tasks. 

Aiden Johnson – Aiden has thrived as a second year apprentice hosted to SKS, asking the right questions to ensure tasks are completed to a high standard. His level of effort consistently exceeds that of his peers and he is developing into a valuable member of the team. His commitment to safety is noticeable, setting a strong example and encouraging others to follow the same approach.   

Dion Paola – Dion is well mannered, respectful and thoughtful towards peers and facilitators in his off-the-job training and takes exceptionally detailed notes. On site, he works well in any team setting regardless of size, and consistently contributes to a positive and productive environment. He represents employer Gemco Rail with integrity when interacting with customers.

Spencer Reilly – In his off-the-job training, Spencer’s workbook drawings are impeccable and clearly presented, reflecting a strong understanding of electrical concepts, and his written work is completed to an equally high standard. He also often brings items or materials from his on-site work with BRE Services to assist with applying what he has learnt to the classroom.

Daniel Stankovic – Daniel has a strong analytical approach to learning, regularly being the first to arrive at class and staying afterwards to make the most of one-on-one discussion time. His on-the-job performance with employer Nilsen is as solid and dependable as he is ambitious. He is a fast learner and doesn’t need things explained twice. 

Kwun SangAiden Chan – Aiden is dependable and safety–focused both in the classroom and on the worksite with Current Controls, who consider him a reliable employee that demonstrates exceptional team spirit and builds great relationships. He articulates ideas clearly and utilises critical thinking to find creative solutions.

Robert Tallarico – Robbie often helps set a positive tone for his class and encourages active participation from others. At employer Nilsen he is always willing to go the extra mile for the benefit of the team and project, and his ability to execute with precision sets him apart.

Michael Thompson – Michael actively participates in all classroom discussions and is always the first person to help any of his fellow apprentices for assistance with theory and practical tasks. He also serves as a role model for other apprentices on site with his employer DSM Electrical Services. Always willing to take on challenging tasks, he regularly volunteers for demanding work.

Karl Truscott-Schoffer – Karl is an exceptionally engaged learner, nominated by two of his teachers who see Karl becoming an outstanding teacher himself in the future. His employer Lively Services describe him as a team player to the core, and could not ask for a more willing, intelligent, or driven apprentice.

Jack Ellis – Jack is a well-rounded apprentice who values feedback and extra training to improve his skills. He is highly capable at applying theoretical learning and off-the-job training on the worksite and has many qualities valued by his employer ESi Electrical, where he readily assists with setting up and packing down the day’s tasks. 

Marcus Jones – Marcus joined ARA Electrical Services partway through his apprenticeship but made a smooth and impressive transition to the team, adapting quickly to the systems and culture, and demonstrating a commitment to doing things the right way. Supervisors trust him to take ownership of his work, plan ahead, and follow tasks through to completion without constant direction. 

India Mcneill-Wren – India constantly strived to learn new skills in class and refine the skills she had already developed. Not only is she is capable of rising to a challenge, it is the environment in which she thrives. Her employer Northside consider her a true, long-term asset, and describe her as a force to be reckoned with. 

Dallas Rowland – Dallas makes the most of every opportunity in her training, and asks insightful questions in class that not only deepen her own understanding but also enrich the learning experience of her peers. With her confidence enthusiasm, her supervisor at employer Nilsen foresees her being a great role model to future apprentices.

Daniel Tester – Daniel’s clear determination to succeed as an electrician has made him an exciting apprentice to teach and support, and a credit to the trade. He shows a genuine desire to fully understand the content rather than simply meeting minimum requirements. Daniel’s positive attitude has allowed him to apply his classroom learning effectively to practical tasks on site with host employer Stowe.

Brenton Waterson – Brenton often arrived at class before the teachers, eager to start the day, and never left without being satisfied he understood the content and how he could apply it on the job. His employer M Squared Electrical can’t speak highly enough of Brenton, and consider him to have all the attributes they look for in an employee.

Ethan Bertoncello – At his host employer the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Ethan is considered a rare gem. His strong work ethic and commitment to customer service are based on foundational values of kindness, fairness, and compassion, especially important in an environment where people do difficult work. He has shown himself to be a natural, even volunteering to temporarily support another team. 

Tahlia Gass – Tahlia approaches her duties with care, courtesy, and accuracy. She displayed a great attitude to her off-the-job training and impressed her trainer immensely when completing her Certificate III in Business. Her attention to detail is a standout strength and she shows genuine interest in every facet of her host employer, the Health Complaints Commissioner, which in turn enhances the quality of her contributions. 

George Sexton – At his host employer Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, George has demonstrated he can take on new tasks and excel at them and in a fast-paced environment. The department consider him a joy to work with and a good team player, and he has even shown them a thing or two. George is eager to learn and actively seeks opportunities to improve and expand his capabilities.

Callum Bentley – Callum has distinguished himself as a standout first year apprentice, maintaining an average of 97% across the units in his off-the-job training. He is a problem solver, working in the high-pressure environments of large-scale data centre projects with his host SKS, and is always looking to progress the job without needing constant redirection. 

Jade Edwards – Jade is recognised for being conscientious, honest, and an excellent communicator. His talent has been noticed by his team at SKS, and leading hands want him to remain on their crews as he doesn’t avoid boring or difficult tasks and consistently puts his hand up to help. 

Isaac Macaro – Isaac’s host employer Stowe sees strong potential in him as a first year apprentice, as he gets actively involved and works well alongside everyone in his team. Isaac promptly understands instructions and applies them in practice under supervision, showing an enthusiastic and consistent approach. 

Alkira Matz – Alkira has demonstrated remarkable personal growth during her first year, building rapport despite working across different crews with host employer Stowe, and showing a keen interest in the ‘why?’ behind the work. Her initiative extends beyond the classroom, being a proactive participant in the Leading Mates program for women in trades, demonstrating commitment to the broader industry community.  

Matthew Milanovic – Matthew is creating a solid reputation for himself as a strong, reliable apprentice. He carries out his work thoroughly, efficiently, and without complaint, and then comes looking for more work. Personable and with a broad perspective, Matthew strives to enhance the space for those around him at his host SKS, who see great potential in him. 

Nathan Ashmore – Nathan is a reliable and versatile apprentice with a can-do attitude, described by his supervisor at host employer Lanec Services as the best apprentice he has had in over 30 years in the industry. His work ethic has even been noticed on site by the client. 

Daniel Caruana – Daniel’s thirst for knowledge is like a strong undercurrent, which enables him to approach work eagerly but with a considered, polite manner. His business-like approach and love for his vocation saw him fit in seamlessly upon joining Stowe, and Daniel keeps a step ahead of the task at hand. 

Sienna Emslie-O’Brien – Sienna is a natural leader, advocating for herself and her peers, with a generosity of spirit that makes her a relatable and accessible mentor, particularly for other women apprentices. Sienna’s reports from host employer Lantrak have been exemplary, with a notable commitment to safety and technical skills. 

Liam Gee – Liam has excellent conduct in all environments, with a strong ethical perspective and the aspiration to please others and do his best. Liam is also popular with his teachers as he shows a hunger for knowledge and a wish to be challenged. Liam exudes enthusiasm, does not cut corners when it comes to safety, and is an asset to his host employer Stowe. 

Jacob Kekakis – Jacob is attentive, asks questions when required, and adapts well to the requirements and site-specific procedures of jobs with his host employer Fredon, especially when tasks required extra care or were in an active public environment. Jacob’s commitment to learning and safety are admirable.  

Jack Palazzolo – Jack’s supervisor at host employer Stowe describes him as his go-to apprentice when he needs assistance with any work on site, and sees a bright future ahead for Jack. He is always the first one on the job and the last to leave, with strong time management and organisational skills. 

Christian Paolucci – Christian arrives on site with host employer SKS prepared, manages tasks efficiently, and meets deadlines without compromising quality or safety. His ability to learn through observation, ask relevant questions, and take initiative, contributes significantly to the success of each job.

Zoe Roberts – Zoe is a highly professional apprentice with the maturity to view a project through its entire life cycle. She skilfully navigated the transition from a small, tight-knit crew to a large-scale, high pressure project with host Stowe. Zoe’s Industry Careers Consultant identifies her as a future industry leader who cares about the evolution of the construction sector through her industry advocacy and leadership development.

Jon Sarellis – Jon is always on the front foot, approaching his apprenticeship with energy and gusto. His commitment to quality shows in his professional responsibilities but also in his craftmanship, where he displays patience, skill and pride in doing things the right way. Jon has received excellent feedback from both the host Stowe and other apprentices he has supported as a peer…

Enric Solaka – Through his conduct, presentation and professionalism, Enric is an outstanding representative of both NECA E&C and host CNG Systems. He is reliable, motivated, and consistently exceeds expectations for an apprentice at his stage. Enric is committed to safety, strictly following procedures and looking out for others on site. 

Alex Xie – Alex’s interactions with NECA E&C staff, as well as his supervisors, fellow tradespeople, and clients at host employer Lanec, are positive, respectful, and professional. He also shows a clear commitment to safety by following procedures, using PPE correctly, and being aware of potential hazards on site. Alex is attentive and responds well to feedback.

Taylah Ahmat – Taylah navigates challenges with finesses and sophistication, and stands tall in her own space, unafraid to speak up and challenge unsafe work practices. Taylah exceeded the high expectations of her host employer SKS when she joined them as a third year, described by her supervisor as the best apprentice he has supervised. 

Jasmine Cooke – Jasmine has developed into an integral part of the workforce at her host employer Stowe Construction, to the point that she is consistently requested for crews across multiple projects. Her ability to think logically and creatively set her apart and suggest potential for long-term success in her electrical career.  

Maximilian Dohle – Max is a team player who shoulders responsibility with ease and dexterity, striving to bring more to his role with host employer Stowe than is expected. He leads by example, willing to step in and support the younger apprentices, and consistently delivers high-quality results with his strong attention to detail and accuracy.  

Joshua Donovan – Joshua constantly seeks to improve, paying close attention to how the A Grade electricians at Stowe complete their work, and actively adopting new methods to increase his own efficiency. One of his key strengths is his ability to anticipate the next step of a job and his ability to accept feedback and apply it on the job shows maturity and a willingness to learn. 

Connor Foulkes – Connor is organised and dependable, managing his workload effectively and taking pride in completing tasks to a high standard. He shows aptitude in picking up new skills, understanding instructions quickly, and applying them correctly under supervision on site with host Stowe. 

Georgia Gallus – Georgia’s confidence and energy make her a star within the Fredon team. She embraces every challenge, including working underground and around live power, with an exemplary approach to safety, positive mindset, and focus on high-quality outcomes. She shows skills and awareness beyond her years as an apprentice, and her project manager wishes everyone would come to work with her attitude. 

Gregory Liston – Gregory impressed his supervisors at Lanec with the way he adapted to moving from general electrical work in residential apartment projects to specialised, high-density data centre projects. Greg’s work ethic is rooted in a desire for technical mastery and a disciplined approach to his career, which motivates those he works with.  

Simone Marinelli – Simone is an industrious worker and focused learner who teachers look forward to having in their classrooms. Host employer Prime Electrical describe her as a born leader for her ability to lead small teams and interact with builders and other trades. Her site foreman considers her one of the brightest and most dedicated apprentices he has seen in over 20 years in the trade for her willingness to go above and beyond. 

Max Anderson – Max completes work to a high standard with calmness and composure, even when under time pressure. He is admired by his peers at his host employer M+G, including the younger apprentices. Max has successfully managed the challenges of night shift, regional work and irregular hours with a healthy personal perspective and work/life balance. 

Cornelius Derrenberg (Heinz) – Heinz is considered an outstanding representative by his host employer Programmed Electrical Technologies for his commitment to doing things right the first time and prioritisation of safety. He adapts seamlessly to shifting job needs and makes himself available to help new apprentices starting on site. 

Jake Klein – Jake made an immediate impact upon coming on board with host employer Lanec, and after forming strong relationships with his A Grade mentors is now transitioning into a mentoring role himself. His professional demeanour make him a standout leader on site. Jake is an eloquent apprentice, known for being switched on, and has an unwavering commitment to safety. 

Eve Von Bibra – Eve ticks all the boxes for excellence in an apprenticeship, which led to her representing Victoria in the ANZETA Worldskills competition in 2024. She is also paying it forward in the industry as a founding member of the NECA Victoria Women’s Advisory Group ‘POWER’. On site with host Stowe she has an eye for detail and approaches her work with wisdom, calmness and composure.

Jordan Watson – Jordan has remained a positive and stabilising force across different teams at host employer Stowe, where she was recently recognised with a Leadership in Safety Award. Her supervisor described her tireless work that continually exceeded expectations, quickly grasping new skills. She has a ‘no-complaints’ attitude and a genuine hunger for new challenges.