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$vuetify.icons.faPhone1300 650 620

Hunter President's report

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As the Hunter region continues to grow it is great to set our future direction by recognising our developing workforce and advising our existing. The inaugural Hunter Apprentice awards and the first issues of the HIA Building the Hunter Interview series takes us on a journey across the sector here in the Hunter region.

Greg Doodson

HIA Hunter President

The future of our industry revealed

As we begin to enter HIA Awards season I wish to congratulate all the winners and finalists at the inaugural 2023 HIA-Stratco Hunter Apprentice Awards, that was held on the 18 August.

For the first time the HIA-Stratco Hunter Apprentice Awards expanded from a single award to a significant event that recognised outstanding apprentices and office based trainees across multiple year levels, along with their hosts.

In total 6 awards were handed to the following winners:

  • 1st Year Apprentice - Thomas Marc from HIA Apprentices, hosted by Thunderstruck Tiling
  • 2nd Year Apprentice - Lachlan Freer from HIA Apprentices, hosted by Sullec Electrical Solutions
  • 3rd Year Apprentice - Bo Anderson from Sam Horn Building
  • 4th Year Apprentice - Callan Burgess from HIA Apprentices, hosted by Hama Constructions
  • Office Based Trainee - Danielle Soper from Approved
  • Apprentice Host - East Elevation Construction

Congratulations to Nicholas Cridland from HIA Apprentices, hosted by Yarrum Designer Homes who was also presented with a 4th year highly commended certificate from the judges.

I take my hat off to all of the winners and finalists. Apprentices and trainees are the future of the residential building industry, and with winners of the calibre recognised by these awards, the future is very bright indeed.

The overall Hunter Apprentice of the Year Award will be announced at the HIA-CSR Hunter Housing and Kitchen & Bathroom Awards in October. The winner will represent the HIA Hunter region at the 2024 HIA-CSR Australian Housing Awards, where our apprentices of the year will compete for the national title against winners from all other HIA regions.

Congratulations also to Hunter members Home in Place who recently won the HIA Australian GreenSmart Multi Dwelling Development at the 2023 HIA Australian GreenSmart Awards.

Announcing our new podcast

The HIA building the Hunter interview series was recently released for listening across a range of podcast platforms.

Hosted by HIA Hunter Executive Director Craig Jennion, you’ll hear from industry experts as they share their insights, personal experiences and tips and tricks to running a successful business.

Recorded interviews have been released with:

  • Episode 1 - Hamish Geddes, Partner at Hamilton Locke
  • Episode 2 - Madi Sorensen, Business Manager of Sorensen Design and Planning
  • Episode 3 & 4 - Colin Robards, Managing Director of Kingston Building
  • Episode 5 - Laurence Antcliff, HIA's Northern NSW Apprentice Manager
  • Episode 6 - Brayden Burgess, HIA Apprentice of the Year and host employer Paul Blowes from PB Quality Constructions.

The HIA Building the Hunter Interview series takes you on a journey across the residential building industry right here in your HIA Hunter region. This is definitely a series not to miss!

View podcast

 

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