NECA recognises top electrical apprentices

Australia’s peak electrical industry body, National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA), has recognised three electrical apprentices, who demonstrated consistent levels of excellence throughout their training, at the annual Apprentice of the Year Awards held on Wednesday 13 July in Melbourne.

Natalie Plain, a 23-year-old apprentice from Box Hill, was judged the best apprentice in the Communications category. The fourth-year apprentice excelled during her studies at the Box Hill Institute and during on-the-job training with data and electrical installations with DESA Australia. Twenty-six-year-old Michael Burns from Croydon won the Commercial and Domestic category. Employed by Stowe Australia, Burns attended Box Hill TAFE and has worked on large commercial projects. Mulgrave resident Graeme Mitchell was successful in the Industrial category. The 29-year-old apprentice excelled during his studies at RMIT and is currently working at the desalination plant in Wonthaggi where he is part of a team energising the plant and equipment.

The apprentice awards are also held to recognise the important role employers play in training apprentices. “It is important to remember that it is not only the apprentices and training institutions working to build skills in our industry,” said NECA Victoria CEO Philip Green. “Without the assistance of the business community apprentices would not get the on-the-job training that is so important to the electrical and communications industry”, Green added.