TasTAFE celebrates learners at the 2026 Trade Excellence Awards
Published on: 28 Aug 2026
Each year,TasTAFEcelebrates our learners' achievements with awards ceremonies that recognize the outstanding commitment and excellence of our top apprentices, trainees, and trade workplace-based learners.
Ceremonies were held in the South (Hobart), North West (Devonport) and North (Launceston) with 64 learners recognized across 14 industry areas. Each ceremony is a night of celebration that brings together learners, their families, employers, and industry representatives. Behind each successful learner is a support network that makes study and work possible, and when a learner succeeds, the whole community benefits – and we celebrate together.
Awards were presented across all trade disciplines, including automotive, construction, electrotechnology, metals, plumbing, hospitality and tourism, cookery, agriculture and hair and beauty. Nominations come from TasTAFE teachers and staff, with endorsement from employers.
These ceremonies were an opportunity to say thank you to our industry partners, employers and sponsors, including statewide sponsor Mas National and regional sponsors Kincrome and Apprenticeship Support Australia, recognising the strong partnerships TasTAFE continues to build with industry and the wider Tasmanian community.
TasTAFE CEO, Dr Norman Baker, says the Awards present an opportunity to celebrate the outstanding effort, commitment and achievements of TasTAFE trade learners.
“I’ve been inspired by the determination, resilience and hard work our learners bring to their training every day. We see learners gaining confidence and capability to build rewarding careers, while helping businesses find the skilled workers they need,” said Dr Baker.
“The TasTAFE Trade Excellence Awards recognise the people whose skills, dedication, and ambition are helping to shape our State.”
TasTAFE thanks the 36 sponsors who supported this celebration of our learners’ outstanding commitment and excellence in their chosen field of training.
2026 TasTAFE Trade Excellence Awards Winners List
Statewide
Bakery and Butchery Apprentice/Trainee of the Year – Evan Eastman-Peck, Banjos Margate
Cookery Apprentice/Trainee of the Year – Hunter Balik, Claremont Hotel
Hospitality/Tourism Learner of the Year – Emma Bryant, Wicked Cheese
Civil Construction Final Year Apprentice – Will Langridge, Moore Civil Contracting
Equity Trade Learner of the Year – Caleb Wilton, Huon Valley Trade Training Centre
Beauty Trainee of the Year – Phoebe Ketchell, Elysian Beauty
Hairdressing and Barbering Apprentice of the Year – Kyle Johnson, Mahni Hair Barber Studio
Primary Industries Learner of the Year – Reese Robinson, Holloway Family Trust
Horticulture and Environment Learner of the Year – Jack Pearce, Burnie City Council
Outstanding Training Commitment – Civil Construction Apprentice – Taylor Franklin-Smith, Grange Resource
South region
Learner of the Year Award
Female Learner of the Year – Maya Lamprill, City Glass Tasmania
First Nations Learner of the Year – Harry Brereton, Aqua Line Plumbing and Gas Pty Ltd
Trade Excellence Award
Pre-Apprenticeship Learner of the Year – Bradley Pullen, Blueline Laundry
Overall First Year Apprentice – Archie Pepper, M Paul Builders
Overall Second Year Apprentice – Lachlan Tatchell, Nyrstar Hobart
Overall Third Year Apprentice – Crichton Were, Skookom Building and Design
Allied Trades Final Year Apprentice of the Year – Zachary Roland, Sustainable Glazing
Automotive Final Year Apprentice of the Year – Tayhlar Tangata, Wells Bodyworks
Construction Final Year Apprentice of the Year – Oliver Pritchard, Blythe & Watchorn Builders
Electrotechnology Final Year Apprentice of the Year – Sophie Masek, GJB Electrical
Metals Final Year Apprentice of the Year – Jack Sheehan, Thermal Insulation Contracting
Plumbing Final Year Apprentice of the Year – Trent Fewkes, A One Plumbing
Outstanding Training Commitment - Allied Trades Apprentice – Joshua Gittus, Derwent Valley Glass
Outstanding Training Commitment - Automotive Apprentice – Harry Caynes, Falk Automotive
Outstanding Training Commitment - Construction Apprentice – Django Ward, Skookom Building and Design
Outstanding Training Commitment - Electrotechnology Apprentice – Matthew Stephen, Amped Connections
Outstanding Training Commitment - Metals Apprentice – Daniel Smith, Novaris
Outstanding Training Commitment - Plumbing Apprentice – Katarina Wood, Central Roofing Supplies.
North region
Learner of the Year Award
Female Learner of the Year – Jayda Wells, Temtrol Technologies
First Nations Learner of the Year – Jacob Maher-Maynard, BD Builders Tasmania
Trade Excellence Award
Pre-Apprenticeship Learner of the Year - Brittany Williams
Overall First Year Apprentice - Marcus Fitch, Link Electrical Contracting
Overall Second Year Apprentice - Lincoln Farrow, Tres Restaurant
Overall Third Year Apprentice - Rupert Mackenzie, Timberlink Australia
Allied Trades Final Year Apprentice of the Year - Miles Smith, Tasmanian Building Group Apprentice Scheme
Automotive Final Year Apprentice of the Year - Dean Madden, Webster Trucks
Construction Final Year Apprentice of the Year - Liam Saunders, BW & JG Williams
Electrotechnology Final Year Apprentice of the Year – William Blair, Complete Electrical & Data Services
Metals Final Year Apprentice of the Year - Lelvern Diller, Mountain Engineering
Plumbing Final Year Apprentice of the Year - Charlie Goodyear, O’Byrne Plumbing
Outstanding Training Commitment - Allied Trades Apprentice - Prashant Reddy, Brockman Brothers Bricklaying
Outstanding Training Commitment - Automotive Apprentice - Dean Wilkinson, Auto Excellence
Outstanding Training Commitment - Construction Apprentice - Marshall Clarkson, Haven Homes Tasmania
Outstanding Training Commitment - Electrotechnology Apprentice - Scott Greig, Hydro Tasmania
Outstanding Training Commitment - Metals Apprentice - Gus Magor, Crisp Bros. & Haywards
Outstanding Training Commitment - Plumbing Apprentice - Ryan Coleman, Degree C
North-West region
Learner of the Year Award
Female Trade Learner of the Year - Abbi O’Connor, Tasmanian Building Group Apprenticeship Scheme Ltd
First Nations Learner of the Year - Taylah Bishop, Bluestone Mines Tasmania Joint Venture
Trade Excellence Award
Pre-Apprenticeship Learner of the Year - Kurt Weaver
Overall First Year Apprentice - Cadel Barry, AJ&M Construction
Overall Second Year Apprentice - Connor Plunkett, Buzzzed Electrical
Overall Third Year Apprentice - Joshua Koen, Programmed Skilled Workforce / Grange Resources
Allied Trades Final Year Apprentice of the Year - Maximus Williams, Ben Englund Plastering
Automotive Final Year Apprentice of the Year - Ezra De Haan, De Haan Bodyworks
Construction Final Year Apprentice of the Year - Flynn Baker, JDR Homes
Electrotechnology Final Year Apprentice of the Year - Aydn Martin, Programmed Skilled Workforce
Metals Final Year Apprentice of the Year - Ezra Marshall, Clark Metal Fabrications
Plumbing Final Year Apprentice of the Year - Toby Cashion, Dewar Roofing
Outstanding Training Commitment - Allied Trades Apprentice – Cooper Jenkins, G. Jenkins Plastering
Outstanding Training Commitment - Automotive Apprentice – Jason Mack, Accident Repair Centre
Outstanding Training Commitment - Construction Apprentice – Timothy Mason, AJ&M Construction
Outstanding Training Commitment - Electrotechnology Apprentice – Ryan Allen, NECA Careers and Education
Outstanding Training Commitment - Metals Apprentice – Jai Wynwood, Tasmanian Building Group Apprenticeship Scheme / Bridge Pro.
Outstanding Training Commitment - Plumbing Apprentice – Angela Cross, Degree C
Congratulations to all our winners for 2026!
