Last minute spark a winner for Ballarat electrician

CHRISTMAS came early for Miners Rest electrician Luke Hoffman when took home a $10,000 Gold Scholarship from electrical wholesaler Middy’s.

The nation-wide Middy’s Scholarship Program awards $100,000 worth of electrical industry training to electricians, apprentices and data installers.

When Mr Hoffman saw the email about the scholarship in his inbox the day the applications closed, he got stuck into it and sent it off before deadline as a last-minute decision.

Mr Hoffman, a 38-years old A-grade electrician and licenced plumber said, “I was pretty pumped when I heard I was a winner.

“I believe in career development and knowledge is paramount, you can never have too much training.”

As the Scholarship Program is designed for upskilling, Mr Hoffman who works in his family’s business, could use the prize to undertake an accounting course or other types of business development or further training within the electrical fields.

Middy’s Data and Electrical sales director Anton Middendorp said the business instigated its Scholarship Program nine years ago.

“The industry has been very good to us over the years and we were keen to have the opportunity to give something back to the industry,” he said.

“This year there was over 450 entries – the largest number since the inception of the program.”

The applications are judged by an independent panel comprising industry professionals from Energy Safe Victoria, National Electrical Contractors Association and Connections Magazine on criteria such as innovation, forward looking development and ideas for taking business into new areas and challenges.