“Apprentices are the future of our trades and our Union. Their passion, dedication and union spirit reassure me that our future is brighter than ever” – ETU National Secretary Michael Wright.
The ETU is running its national Apprentice of The Year competition for apprentices in electrical trades again for 2024.
The Apprentice of the Year Competition is a chance for our union to promote the importance of training the next generation of tradespeople and a chance to celebrate the high standards of skills, knowledge and achievements that our apprentices bring to our trades.
The winner of this competition will represent the ETU on an industry relevant international study trip and attend the Global Power Trade Union Conference in Brisbane in 2025.
Being hosted by a foreign union, the successful applicant will gain a valuable insight into the trade union movement overseas, learn about different aspects of the electrical trades and how the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system functions abroad.
To be eligible to participate you must:
- be a financial member of the ETU;
- have a valid passport or be willing to get one;
- be willing to travel overseas to a future industry conference;
- hold strong union values;
- have a strong work ethic and take pride in your trade;
- demonstrate a commitment to your apprenticeship, including satisfactory progression of on and off the job training requirements;
- have a capacity to work safely, not endanger yourself or others and can speak up if you see something unsafe at work
“The apprentice experience is a learning process that is built on trying and failing and trying again” has also given me the resilience, life experience and confidence to challenge myself in other areas: Embarking on a trade made me ready for something I didn’t even know I was preparing for. As an apprentice, I got an education, qualifications, on-the-job training and experience, connections with like-minded people, and an invaluable link to my union community” – 2023 ETU Apprentice of the Year Zahn Anthony
When submitting your application, please refer to the selection criteria below and application process –
ETU Apprentice of the Year Application process and Selection Criteria
The winner and finalists will be chosen by an independent judging panel.
The winner of Apprentice of the Year will be presented the award at the ETU National Conference in Sydney in April 2025.
Applications must be submitted by close of business by the 30th October 2024. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed mid-November 2024.