Tasmanian Apprentices of the Year announced

Owen O’Driscoll and Christopher Lawes have been announced as Tasmania’s top electrical apprentices. The two winners were announced at the annual National Electrical and Communications (NECA) Tasmanian Apprentice of the Year Awards last Saturday.

Mature-age student O’Driscoll took out the Commercial Domestic category. The 46-year-old started his electrical apprenticeship after many years in the hospitality industry. He was employed by Tastec Group Training and his host employer was BJ Banks Electrical in Hobart.

In the Industrial category, Lawes was named the winner. Also employed by Tastec, Lawes’ host employer was Nyrstar Hobart. He has completed a dual trade certificate in Electrotechnology and Instrumentation and Control.

“To be named Apprentice of the Year in their individual categories is something Owen and Christopher should be very proud of,” said Andrew Farr, NECA Tasmania President. “The judges compared the academic achievements and on-the-job accomplishments from all of the submissions and decided that these two are the best performing apprentices in Tasmania.”

The two apprentices will now go forward for consideration in the national NECA Apprentice of the Year Awards in November.