This year the ETU National Apprentice of the Year is Iyesha Paull from Far North Queensland. Iyesha stood out as a candidate because of her leadership qualities, her uncompromising commitment to union values and to her trade.
Iyesha is a third-year electrical apprentice and QBuild employee currently based in Cairns in Far North Queensland. She is an apprentice delegate at her workplace and is passionate about getting more women into the trade.
Iyesha was also recently awarded an Emma Miller Award at the Queensland Council of Unions awards night. The Emma Miller Awards are ‘a tribute to the pioneering spirit of Emma Miller – an icon of the Queensland union movement.
Runner up this year is Erin Brokenshire from WA. Erin also had a very strong application and was commended for her work ethic, commitment to her trade and passion for new technologies.
All applications were of extremely high quality, and we are extremely proud of each candidate and the values that they hold. It is heartening to see so many apprentices committed to their trade, community, and union.
A huge congratulations to Iyesha, Erin and all shortlisted candidates.
The winner was chosen by an independent judging panel featuring the following three industry experts:
- Mark Burgess – Executive Officer, E-Oz Energy Skills Australia
- Radmila Desic AM – NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction) committee member and life member
- Nicole Wells – Industrial Relations Consultant
Iyesha’s application stood out because of her understanding of core union values such as collaboration and collectivism, her commitment to her trade and the high praise she received in her references for her submission.
Iyesha will now be representing the ETU as a delegate at the Global Power Trade Union Congress (GPTUC), in Dublin, Ireland, in November. The trip will give Iyesha valuable insight into the trade union movement overseas and allow her to learn about different aspects of the electrical trades and how the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system functions abroad.
As runner up Erin will receive a fluke clamp meter and shortlisted candidates will receive a $100 fuel voucher. Well done to shortlisted candidates for the ETU National Apprentice of the Year, Leanne Kell from the NSW & ACT branch, Nicholas Butler from the NSW & ACT branch, Andrea Byrne from the QLD & NT branch and Mary Thatcher from the QLD & NT branch.
