Sparkie makes mark

By Callan Date
ENDEAVOUR Hills resident Matthew Pearson has sparked up an exciting career as an electrical apprentice.
And the 22-year-old has been rewarded for his outstanding efforts by being named the apprentice of the year by the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA).
Mr Pearson took out the industrial category award for his work with Varney Electrical in Dandenong.
The fourth-year-apprentice said he was thrilled to win the award, which resulted in a $300 prize and bragging rights among his workmates.
“Everyone at work has been rapt for me,” Mr Pearson said.
“My dad and girlfriend came along to the awards night and then a week later I went to a big luncheon with about 600 people at the Grand Hyatt, which was great,” he said.
Varney Electrical specialises in commercial and mechanical electrical work.
Mr Pearson said he was keen to branch out into owning his own business in the future. “I’m doing a contractors’ course at the moment.”
NECA Victoria CEO Philip Green said the awards were vital in encouraging apprentices to aspire as high as they could in their chosen trade.
“With a record number of apprentices in the Victorian system, it was a very competitive field for this year’s awards,” Mr Green said.
“These awards are important, given that apprentices are the lifeblood of our industry. Current apprentices are the future tradespeople of the industry and future leaders,” he said.
Minister for Skills, Education Services and Employment Jacinta Allan presented Mr Pearson with his award.
“We are all faced with the challenge of maintaining a strong training system,” Ms Allan said.
“An apprenticeship is more than a trade; it’s the start of a career, potentially new business and certainly a prosperous future,” she said.
Ms Allan said the award ceremony was an ideal way to reward and acknowledge the efforts of all involved including the employers, trainers and the apprentices and their families.