Tasmania’s Jake Blokker was recognised as the 2020 HIA Jim Brookes Australian Apprentice winner during the virtual 2020 HIA–CSR Australian Housing Awards on 29 May, the accolade acknowledging his outstanding skill set and demonstrated potential in the industry.

 

The enthusiastic and motivated fourth-year carpentry apprentice has shown exceptional leadership qualities and the ability to adapt to the challenges of remote construction on the Tasman Peninsula with his employer AJR Construct.

 

Jake has impressed with his skill level on complex projects, including heritage-listed and indigenous-sensitive buildings, and has been known to bring better ideas to the table to save time or processes. Whether constructing timber-lined ceilings, rigging loads or pouring helical staircases, he enjoys variety in his work and is looking forward to a career as a residential builder.

 

The HIA Jim Brookes Australian Apprentice award, partnered by Stratco Australia, celebrates the achievements of our future tradespeople and recognises excellent trade knowledge, quality building work and solid trade school results.

 

It was named after Jim Brookes, an avid supporter of young people and their training in the industry, who worked with James Hardie in supporting the HIA Training Foundation while it was active.