ECAQ Apprentice of the Year

Brisbane apprentice, Peter Schultz has been named the Queensland Electrical and Communications Association/Clipsal/Schneider Electric 2007 Apprentice of the Year.

Schultz, 24, has been employed through the group training organisation, Electro Group Apprentices throughout his four-year apprenticeship and hosted by Contact Electrical, which described him as a standout apprentice who has contributed positively to the Balmoral-based electrical contracting firm.

Schultz was selected from a field of 14 finalists from across Queensland. The selection process involved an interview before a high-level judging panel comprising representatives from the contracting, manufacturing and training areas of the electrical industry. Schultz was assessed on his knowledge of the industry, technical aspects, products and experience in the field. He was also required to complete practical examinations consisting of electrical testing of a switchboard panel and a CPR test.

The awards aim to encourage a superior standard of electrical work in the industry and an improvement in general electrical safety as well as providing feedback into the electrical industry to assist in improving the training of apprentices.

Schultz considers his chosen path in the electrical industry a craft where quality and workmanship are aspired to: "I endeavour to go on to attain a contractor's licence and further my education in electrical engineering."