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$vuetify.icons.faPhone1300 650 620

2024 HIA-Stratco Hunter Apprentice of the Year Awards

Media release

2024 HIA-Stratco Hunter Apprentice of the Year Awards

Media release
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has recognised apprentices from across the residential building industry at the HIA-Stratco Hunter Apprentice Awards. The results were announced at an awards night held last Friday 30 August in Newcastle.

“The awards celebrate the best of apprentices within the residential building industry, and recognises the outstanding trade knowledge, quality workmanship, presentation, and trade school results of our future industry leaders,” said HIA Hunter Executive Director Craig Jennion. 

The awards acknowledged apprentices across their stages of training with finalists coming from across the Central Coast, Hunter and Mid Coast regions in a range of trade disciplines.

HIA warmly congratulates all the award winners on the night.

  • 1st year apprentice - Kobe Gallagher
  • 2nd year apprentice - Daniel Brown
  • 3rd year apprentice - Zacchary Cook
  • 3rd year apprentice - highly commended - Patrick Barter
  • 4th year apprentice - Blake Richardson
  • Judges' choice - Melissa Wild
  • Mature age apprentice - Callum Spoor
  • Apprentice host trainer - Miles Wilson & Joel Nicol

The HIA Hunter Apprentice of the Year award will be announced at the upcoming HIA-CSR Hunter Housing and Kitchen & Bathroom Awards, which will be held 19 October.

“It was encouraging to see the next generation of building and construction industry coming through with such passion and enthusiasm for their trade and being recognised for their achievements,” said Mr Jennion.

“The outstanding calibre of apprentices recognised at the 2024 HIA-Stratco Hunter Apprentice Awards proves that the future is very bright.

“It was particularly pleasing to see female carpentry apprentice Melissa Wild receive the Judges’ Choice award in recognition of her passion, attention to detail, and drive to succeed.

“Callum Spoor received the Mature Age Apprentice award to recognise the hard work and commitment that it takes to leave a stable career and follow his passion of carpentry.

“Successful apprenticeships rely heavily on the support, nurturing and training provided by the host trainer, and we congratulate Miles Wilson & Joey Nicol from East Elevation Construction for their dedication - winning Apprentice Host Trainer of the Year for the second consecutive year.

"Apprenticeships provide an important and valuable pathway for many people and HIA are committed to supporting and nurturing those coming through the ranks.

“HIA thank all the apprentice entrants and their host trainers, congratulate the winners and recognise the outstanding contribution that all make to the development of our industry,” concluded Mr Jennion.

Read more about the winners here.

For more details on the awards or images of the winners please contact Craig Jennion.

For more information please contact:

Craig Jennion

Executive Director - Hunter
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