Victoria will launch an electrical apprenticeship program to train 2,000 apprentices over four years. The SEC Apprenticeship Academy will partner with NECA Education & Careers and the Electrical Trades Union. A pilot program will offer 40 apprenticeships, with expressions of interest opening soon. The government says the program will help meet rising demand for electricians in Victoria's energy sector, which is projected to grow to 68,000 workers by 2040.
Applications are now open for a 2027 Traineeship Program run by the Shire, which offers paid work and a nationally recognised Certificate IV in Business. Trainees will gain practical experience across a range of Council services. Mayor Stephen Batty said the program was an important way to invest in local people and build a future workforce. School leavers, adults returning to work and people seeking a career change are eligible to apply. Applications close on 1 November 2026.
Geelong florist Charlotte Follett has placed 10th in the world at the WorldSkills International Competition in Shanghai. The 21-year-old was the first Australian floristry competitor to reach the top 10 at the finals in many years. She finished with 696 points, four short of the score needed for a Medallion of Excellence. Follett said she was thrilled with her effort and results, and credited her family, fiance, and mentors Jacinta Young and David Berger for their support. Her floristry journey began in Geelong through a school-based apprenticeship.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
Toowoomba student Lilly Kain has won School-Based Apprentice of the Year at the Future Lady Tradies Built to Bloom Awards. The Industry School student received the award last month at QT Gold Coast. The awards honour young women building careers in trades, where they remain under-represented. The Industry School had six finalists across its Toowoomba, Brisbane and Gold Coast campuses. Lilly is a Year 12 student completing a carpentry apprenticeship with James Trade Group.
Shaun Sargeant, formerly a farmhand in the Indigo Valley, has started a new career as a surveyor. After seeking advice from a TAFE NSW careers counsellor, he completed a Certificate III in Surveying and Spatial Information Services through online classes. He now works as a surveyor's assistant at Axis Surveys in Ipswich and is studying for a Certificate IV. Jobs and Skills Australia reports about 9700 surveyors nationally, with a predicted shortfall of 2000 by 2029.
Eltham apprentice technician Jaeden Matteo D'Aloia has been named the Overall Australian Winner in the 2026 Capricorn Rising Stars Awards. He won the Victoria/Tasmania regional title before taking the national prize. The 20-year-old is completing a Certificate III in Light Vehicle Technology at Box Hill TAFE while working at European vehicle specialist Technique Automotive. Technique Automotive owner Alex Hicks said he had exceeded expectations from the day he joined. Capricorn Group chief executive Brad Gannon said he was a deserving national winner.
