The nominees for the Apprentice of the Year awards in Cairns on Thursday night.
CAPE York apprentices have matched it with the best in the Far North, picking up a swag of awards at a Cairns ceremony on Thursday night.
Weipa’s Emily Moore was named the Female Trade Student of the Year at the TAFE Queensland 2023 Cairns Trade Excellence Awards.
She was joined by fellow locals Kyezaya Namai-Sabatino, Zach May and Karl Ocate on the stage.
Carpenter Sam Ederveen took out top honours, claiming the awards for Building and Construction Apprentice of the Year and Outstanding Apprentice of the Year.
Mr Ederveen, 25, recently completed his carpentry apprenticeship training at TAFE Queensland and said winning the night’s major award was a shock.
“It’s such an honour,” he said.
“I had always enjoyed construction and manual arts classes in high school and wanted to take that enjoyment further.
“The teachers at TAFE instilled in me a passion for the work, and my successful completion became a very effective foot-in-the-door-type scenario, securing me an apprenticeship with a local builder.
“The most common recommendation I make to young people looking to get started in the trades is to set themselves up to receive apprenticeship offers from high-ranking companies.
“Apprenticeship providers look for people who show initiative and dedication, and a certificate I or other introductory qualification is a strong way to display those attributes.”
Around 200 people attended the Cairns Trade Excellence Awards and 12 trophies were handed out to recognise and celebrate the hard work of our most dedicated trade students.
TAFE Queensland 2023 Cairns Trade Excellence Award winners
TAFE at School Trade Student of the Year – Karl Ocate
Female Trade Student of the Year – Emily Moore
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Trade Student of the Year – Kyezaya Namai-Sabatino
Automotive and Diesel Fitting Apprentice of the Year – Zachary May
Building and Construction Apprentice of the Year – Sam Ederveen
Cookery Apprentice of the Year – Zenn Baker
Electrical and Instrumentation Apprentice of the Year – Andrew Albert
Engineering Apprentice of the Year – Ashlee Scarcella
Hairdressing and Barbering Apprentice of the Year – Macey Laybourne
Plumbing Apprentice of the Year – Reef Ward
Refrigeration Apprentice of the Year – Joshua Sagigi
Outstanding Apprentice of the Year – Sam Ederveen
