When Sam Spencer started as a carpentry apprentice at Mamet Homes, he was 27 years old – older than most first-years but no less eager. In fact, he’d already lived an entire professional life. After five years working as a paramedic in Melbourne, Sam decided to start again. The stress, shift work and time away from family had taken its toll. With his wife Breanna and daughter Elaine, he relocated to his hometown of Brisbane and took a leap of faith into carpentry.

That leap has paid off. In May, Sam won the 2025 HIA Australian Apprentice of the Year. Recognised for his work ethic and technical ability, Sam has made a real impact at Mamet Homes, the Brisbane company where he completed his apprenticeship.

Honestly, it’s surreal,' Sam said at the 2025 HIA-CSR Australian Housing Awards night in Melbourne. 'I just tried to do everything the right way, and I’ve been supported by a great crew.'

Sam began his apprenticeship in 2022 with Mamet Homes and enrolled at TAFE to complete a Certificate III in Carpentry. From the outset, he approached the trade with focus and maturity. He invested in a full kit of tools and a trailer before even setting foot on site, a gesture that impressed Adrien Mamet, founder of Mamet Homes.

'That kind of commitment you don’t see every day,' Adrien says. Founded by Adrien and Fiona Mamet, Mamet Homes is known for quality custom builds, sustainable design, and a client-centric approach in the Brisbane region.

During his apprenticeship, Sam earned a reputation for precision and care. His attention to detail was often praised by subcontractors, and his understanding of sequencing and planning made him a valuable team member long before he qualified.

'Coming from the ambulance service, I already had the mindset for discipline and responsibility,' Sam explains. 'But carpentry gave me something different. I love the physical side of it, the creativity, and the satisfaction of seeing a home come together piece by piece. You don’t have to chase him; he’s already onto it.' 

Sam didn’t just excel onsite. He was also responsible for submitting daily job reports in Buildertrend and logging progress for the client, project manager and broader team. These reports became the benchmark for the company – concise, thorough and paired with clear photos that helped streamline decision-making. 'We still refer back to his reports when training new apprentices,' Adrien notes.

Now a qualified carpenter, Sam is still with Mamet Homes and looking toward his next goal: becoming a project supervisor, then earning his Cert IV and builder’s licence. 'Right now, I want to keep learning, keep building, and support the new guys coming through,’ he says. ‘Eventually, I’d love to run my own crew.' 

For Adrien, there’s no doubt Sam has what it takes. 'If you had to build the blueprint of the ideal apprentice, Sam ticks every box. He’s professional, humble, technically sound and just a top human.'

First published on 17 July 2025