The HIA celebrates the achievements of future tradies while encouraging excellence in the industry. NHS are delighted to collaborate with the HIA on the Apprentice of the Month Awards. These awards shine a light on apprentices across the Hunter region for their outstanding efforts during their apprenticeship.
By partnering with the HIA we can recognise the talented apprentices and can continue to support them as they navigate their way to becoming fully licensed tradies.
The HIA Apprentice of the month are selected by the HIA and they receive a special gift pack and a $150 account credit from NHS.
| Apprentice Of The Month Spotlight: March 2025 |
 James Beavis |
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Host: Yarrum Designer Homes Year: 4th year Carpentry Apprentice Why was James selected? James Beavis has been recognised for the outstanding work that he continues to complete and should be commended for his enthusiasm and passion for the trade. James shows a maturity and appreciation of the position he holds with Yarrum Designer Homes and is a valuable team member. HIA and NHS are pleased to congratulate James on his efforts and present him with the NHS Apprentice of the month award for April. |
Apprentice Of The Month 2025
| January 2025 | February 2025 | March 2025 |
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Aiden Burling |
Luke De Ruiter |
Ashley Keen |
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Host: DSA Kitchens and Joinery Year: 2nd Year cabinet maker Why was Aiden selected? His hosts, Danny and Sheridan Aratoon, commend him for his outstanding work ethic and daily enthusiasm for the trade. Aiden is not only a valued team member but also actively seeks to learn and improve with every task. |
Host: Buildon Projects Year: 2nd Year Carpentry Apprentice Why was Luke selected? Luke’s dedication and enthusiasm for his trade set him apart. His host, Alex Finney, has nominated him multiple times, highlighting his eagerness to learn and strong work ethic. After relocating from Coffs Harbour to Newcastle last year, Luke embraced the opportunity with determination. He’s well-regarded by clients and trades alike, with Alex praising his reliability, communication skills, and passion for carpentry. |
Host: Lake Macquarie Carpentry and Building Year: 4th Year Carpentry Apprentice Why was Ashley selected? Ashley was nominated by his host, Peter Henderson, who has describe Ashley as an excellent apprentice with excellent skills and the motivation to match. Ashely works hard and gets things done and is a mature, awesome young man who deserves to be recognised for his efforts. |
| April 2025 | ||
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James Beavis |
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Host: Yarrum Designer Homes Year: 4th year Carpentry Apprentice Why was James selected? James has been recognised for the outstanding work that he continues to complete and should be commended for his enthusiasm and passion for the trade. James shows a maturity and appreciation of the position he holds with Yarrum Designer Homes and is a valuable team member. HIA and NHS are pleased to congratulate James on his efforts and present him with the NHS Apprentice of the month award for April. |
Apprentice Of The Month 2024
| February 2024 | March 2024 | April 2024 |
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Jake Hainsworth |
Kade Tillock |
Isaac Jones |
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Host: Go Goninan Carpentry Year: 3rd year Carpentry Apprentice Why was Jake selected? Jake has displayed qualities of an exceptional apprentice with skills beyond his years. Jake is such a positive young man, gives 100% on site, and is an excellent representative for Go Goninan Carpentry. |
Host: Hercules Building Year: Just completed his 4th year Carpentry Apprenticeship Why was Kade selected? Kade’s ability and patience to ensure a job is finished with a very high standard of quality is what makes Kade an exceptional apprentice. During Kade’s time as a HIA apprentice hosted by Hercules, he has displayed how capable he is to perform to a wide range of skills and his versatility to adapt to the variety of challenges showing initiative beyond his years. |
Host: Nora Build Year: Entering 3rd year Carpentry Apprentice Why was Isaac Selected? Isaac has all the requirements of a good apprentice and excellent employee. He is punctual, never sick, attentive, and responsible to all task’s menial or not, polite, and respectful of all including trades, clients and workmates, excels at TAFE and makes it his highest priority to perform well and learn. Coming into his 3rd year he has grown to be a dependable and competent carpenter that is beyond his short time in the trade. He has a passion for his chosen trade, he puts his hand up and dives headfirst into all aspects of learning and new and challenging tasks. He has an eye for detail and the personal standard setting to ensure quality that would rival most tradesmen. If he makes mistakes, he owns it and works to improve, learning from every interaction and listening intently to advice. He has aspirations to be a great tradesman but also a successful builder. His love for commitment to and natural talent as a carpenter is displayed every day. |
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May 2024 |
June 2024 |
July 2024 |
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Cooper Southam |
Mathew Brown |
Pat Barter |
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Host: Hercules Building Year: soon to complete his apprenticeship Why was Cooper selected? Ryan has found that Cooper’s ability and patience to ensure a job is finished with a very high standard of quality is what makes Cooper an exceptional apprentice. During Cooper’s time as a HIA apprentice hosted by Hercules, he has displayed how capable he is to perform to a wide range of activities both autonomously and as part of a team. Cooper has proved to Ryan that he really has what it takes to go far in the industry and more so as a very high-quality builder. |
Host: Rudds Plumbing and Excavations Year: 3rd year Plumbing Apprentice Why was Matt selected? Matt's host Garry, described him as an incredibly mature and capable young man who deserves to be recognised. Matt gets along with everyone, his clients love him, he communicates well with the trades and contractors, he is reliable, consistent and a hard worker. Matt is responsible and can be trusted to complete tasks in good time with accuracy and very few errors. If things don’t quite go according to plan, Matt takes it personally and does everything he can to learn, rectify and ensure that the same does not happen again, which is a trait that Garry said is rare in young people. Matt has a skill level that far exceeds the average 3rd Year Apprentice and he is definitely a well-deserved winner, and he couldn’t do without him. |
Host: B & B Cox Construction Year: 3rd year Carpentry Apprentice Why was Pat selected? Pat has been an excellent apprentice. Prior to starting his carpentry apprenticeship Pat was a qualified Butcher so it was a huge step and big change for him to start an apprenticeship as an adult. Lance said Pat continues to acknowledge the hard work and shows dedication to his learning and development. The significant effort to learn new skills, adapt to work environments and contribute to projects while keeping the fun in the day is what makes Pat an exceptional apprentice. |
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August 2024 |
September 2024 |
October 2024 |
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Steven Dengate |
Lachlan Jones |
Jayden Langham |
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Host: Zephyr Projects Year: 4th year Carpentry Apprenticeship Why was Steven selected? Dan, Steven's host from Zephyr Projects, has nominated Steve twice for the AOTM award. Steven transferred from an Air Conditioning and Electrical Apprenticeship in 2021, as he felt the trade was not for him. He joined HIA and Daniels team as a 1st year Carpentry Apprentice in 2021. Dan has seen a big change overall from Steve in the past 10 months. He has been assisting in running one of the projects and has been flourishing with the added responsibility and has taken a role in teaching 2 of the more junior apprentices in the team. Dan can see Steve as a great leading hand within Zephyr in the future. He should be proud of the progress he has made with his apprenticeship, dedication and focus at work and Penny, his field officer, couldn’t agree more! |
Host: Active Build Solutions Year: 4th year Carpentry Apprenticeship Why was Lachlan selected? Dan Lark, Lachie's host, shared a great message nominating him for the NHS Apprentice of the Month. Lachlan is an exceptionally reliable and hardworking apprentice who consistently demonstrates a strong team spirit. He actively seeks opportunities for personal and professional growth while remaining humble and not seeking recognition for his contributions. Lachlan truly is a valuable asset to any team. |
Host: Bull Building Year: 3rd year Carpentry Apprenticeship Why was Jayden selected? Jayden started his Carpentry Apprenticeship at just 16 with Michael at bull building. Known for his enthusiasm, Jayden consistently puts in 100% effort on site, no matter the task, and always has a smile on his face. Michael, Jayden’s host, shared how proud he is of Jayden’s approach to his apprenticeship and his ability to rise to every challenge with a positive attitude.
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November 2024 |
December 2024 |
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Tom Stanton |
Riley Vale |
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Host: Jenkins Residential Year: 4th year Carpentry Apprenticeship Why was Tom selected? Nominated by hosts Prue and Tom Jenkins, Tom is Known for his eagerness to learn new skills on-site and consistently manages and completes tasks to a high standard. A core member of the team, his reliability and positive attitude make him a standout apprentice. |
Host: Don't Lose your Cool Airconditioning Year: 2nd year Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Apprenticeship Why was Riley Selected? Riley’s hosts shared how proud they are of his polite, considerate, and mature approach to his apprenticeship. This year, Riley has consistently worked hard, achieved many goals, and always brings a positive attitude and smile to the team. Riley was also a finalist in the Apprentice of the Year Awards this year as a 1st Year and has shown exceptional dedication at TAFE. He has consistently finished tasks ahead of schedule and was one of only a few to pass all units of his rigorous course on the first attempt. |
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HIA Apprentices
With HIA Apprentices, you take care of the on-the-job training and leave the recruitment, employment, wages and entitlements, superannuation, TAFE, welfare, and workers compensation to us! We understand that there are always risks bringing new people into your business, and that industry and workflow can be unpredictable. Our program is aimed at reducing these risks and increasing the return on investment for all. If your work situation changes or the Apprentice is not the right fit, we manage all employment responsibilities and work with the apprentice to find an alternate host with a weeks’ notice to us. Best of all, by taking on an HIA apprentice, you gain the full support of HIA – the official body of Australia’s home building industry. HIA supports its members, unites the residential housing industry, and promotes industry standards.
If you are interested in finding out more about the HIA Apprentice of the Month program or are considering hiring an Apprentice, reach out to the HIA Apprentice Team on 02 4014 2000 or click here to find out more.