Next gen of tradies celebrated

FOUR of BGT’s young apprentice tradespeople have been named finalists in the 2022 Apprenticeship Employment Network Awards.

Trainee wall and floor tiler Jye-Leigh Drinkwater is up for Apprentice of the Year, engineer Caleb Smith for disability achievement, landscaper Sebastian Streat for School-Based Apprentice and Trainee of the Year, and Tom Kernick for the OHS star.

“Jye-Leigh is a great communicator, he gets back to you quickly, and conducts himself really well in the community,” said BGT apprenticeship and traineeship consultant Shaun McKeegan.

“He also has a great sense of initiative, and these are the kinds of things I’m looking for.”

Now working full time at Munro Engineering with a focus on metal fabrication, Mr McKeegan said Mr Smith is a second-time nominee.

“His love for his trade shines through. One of the first things he said to me is that he loves making mistakes because then he learns,” he said.

“Caleb wants to get better and to master his trade, which is fantastic.”

Mr Kernick is aiming to strengthen his skills in the occupational health and safety, and risk space while Mr McKeegan said school-based apprentice, Mr Streat, works methodically to complete any landscaping task to a high standard.

“He would be an invaluable employee. All the finalists have worked hard and are worthy of rewards,” Mr McKeegan said.

“There’s a lot of work in the background to get them to this level, and they should be proud to be nominated.

“It’s a big deal, they deserve it, and let’s celebrate all they’ve achieved after the last couple of years. It’s also great representation for BGT.”