A young Ballarat apprentice has been recognised as one of the nation’s best after taking out the Housing Industry Association (HIA) Victorian Young Apprentice of the Year Award.
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Twenty year-old Jake Laidlaw from Creswick received the honour in front of 700 people at Crown Casino, after being one of five nominees shortlisted.
The fourth year apprentice carpenter said receiving the award had been a humbling experience, which had provided him a great opportunity to network with others in the industry.
To take out the award Mr Laidlaw had to first be nominated by his employer, before undergoing an interview with the HIA.
Employer Chris Murphy said in his 37 years in the building industry, Mr Laidlaw was the best apprentice he had seen.
“Jake displays a maturity above his years, a practical skill set above anyone else I’ve trained and he’s intelligent.
“His only fault is he probably works too hard.”
As well as working full time for Chris Murphy Building, Mr Laidlaw was also in the process of renovating three homes, one of which he plans to move into once completed.
While Mr Laidlaw is set to complete his apprenticeship in September next year, he said he would stay on in his current job for some time yet.
“I’m happy to work for (Mr Murphy) for one or two years to honour that four years he invested training me as an apprentice.”
But in the future Mr Laidlaw said he was interested in pursuing property development after completing his qualifications.
“I enjoy seeing something that’s been a bit derelict and run down and turning it around.”
Mr Laidlaw will now go through to the national awards which will be held on Hamilton Island in May.
