Victoria

    On Friday, 28 March, NECA Education & Careers hosted our biggest Annual Awards yet welcoming over 300 apprentices, trainees, employers, and industry partners to celebrate the achievements of our community. The evening began in the prestigious Long Room of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), before moving to the Members’ Dining Room, where guests gathered to reflect on a year of growth, success, and dedication.

    Gideon Perrott, CEO of NECA Education & Careers, alongside The Hon. Steve Herbert, Chairman of the Board, NECA Education & Careers, opened the formalities, congratulating the finalists and underscoring the continued importance of apprenticeship and traineeship training. Both leaders highlighted the essential role NECA Education & Careers plays in shaping the future of the industry.

    The evening was hosted by Dean Atkinson, who kept the celebratory atmosphere alive with ventriloquism performances and comedic moments.

    Recognising Outstanding Apprentices and Trainees

    The first awards of the evening celebrated our Tasmanian apprentices, with many winners travelling to Melbourne to attend the event with their families and colleagues. This annual gathering provides staff from both states with the opportunity to come together and celebrate the achievements of our apprentices.

    Next, we recognised the remarkable students attending the NECA Education & Careers trade school, with representatives from both our Carlton North and Dandenong campuses. A highlight of the night was the presentation of the Kevin Stevens Excellence Award for Academic Achievement. Named in honour of a beloved former NECA Education & Careers teacher, this award was presented by Kevin’s son, Brett Stevens, who delivered a heartfelt speech encouraging apprentices to carry forward Kevin’s work ethic and pride in their achievements.

    Celebrating the Best in the Industry

    The Victorian Group Training (GTO) categories recognised the dedication and excellence of our apprentices and trainees. The Trainee of the Year and Inspiration Trainee of the Year awards celebrated individuals who have demonstrated exceptional growth and commitment to their roles. The joint winners of the Inspiration Trainee of the Year award shared moving speeches on how their traineeship opportunities had significantly impacted their careers and personal growth.

    We also celebrated the dedication of our Victorian GTO Apprentices, acknowledging their achievements both on and off the job site.

    The evening concluded with awards for Host Employers, whose support is critical to the success of apprenticeships and traineeships. Without their commitment, the opportunities for training and development would not be possible.

    A Special Thank You to Our Sponsors

    Our training programs and this awards night would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. A heartfelt thank you goes to: AEN, Cbus Super, Energy Safe, Fluke Australia, Middy’s, Milwaukee, NECA Victoria, NHP, and Protect, together with Fujifilm and Network Insurance Group.

    We also extend our congratulations to all finalists and winners, whose exceptional training achievements earned them their well-deserved recognition. Your hard work, dedication, and passion continue to inspire us all.

    Award Winners

    Tasmanian Apprenticeship Awards

    • Tasmanian 1st Year Apprentice of the Year: Brock Webb
    • Tasmanian 2nd Year Apprentice of the Year: Isaac Van Winden & Kate Figgel
    • Tasmanian 3rd Year Apprentice of the Year: Baxter Lewis & Ebony Waller
    • Tasmanian 4th Year Apprentice of the Year: Bianca Eberle

    Student Apprentice Awards

    • 1st Year Student Apprentice of the Year: Jordan Purchase (Honourable Mention: Georgia Sutton Davis)
    • 2nd Year Student Apprentice of the Year: Alexander Robertson (Honourable Mention: Andrew Nortcliffe)
    • Kevin Stevens Excellence Award for Academic Achievement: Matthew Town

    Trainee Awards

    • Trainee of the Year: Eman Kashif (Honourable Mention: Genevieve Cox)
    • Inspiration Trainee: Damian D’Astolto & Luke Saliba

    Victorian Group Training Organisation (GTO) Awards

    • Victorian 1st Year GTO Apprentice of the Year: Rocco Brigante
    • Victorian 2nd Year GTO Apprentice of the Year: Matthew Lisci
    • Victorian 3rd Year GTO Apprentice of the Year: Benjamin Forbes
    • Victorian 4th Year GTO Apprentice of the Year: Jayden Macaro

    GTO Host Employer Awards

    • Traineeship Host Employer of the Year: Fredon Technology
    • Host Employer of the Year – Electrical (Medium): SME Powered Services
    • Host Employer of the Year – Electrical (Large): Stowe Australia

    At NECA Education & Careers, we remain committed to shaping the future of the electrical, communications, and aligned industries. With an unwavering focus on energy, innovation, safety, and sustainability, we continue to nurture the next generation of talent to lead the way toward a brighter, more sustainable future.