Apprentices take centrestage in SA

South Australia’s top refrigeration and air conditioning apprentices have been recognised at the annual AIRAH Apprentice Awards.

This year’s event, held at the Adelaide Pavilion, saw industry members and guests gather to celebrate the achievements of apprentices in the HVAC&R industry.

“It was a great success and honoured some really talented young men in the trade,” says Dr Michael Riese, M.AIRAH, President of AIRAH’s South Australian Division Committee.

“The standard of the eight candidates put forward by TAFE SA was excellent, and even though only one person was able to take home the top prize, all have a prosperous future ahead of them.”

James Errington from M&C Hutchins won the top award – the AIRAH South Australia Apprentice of the Year 2021.

Errington says that in the four years he has been plying the trade, he has learnt that you have to be “prepared for anything”. He admits, however, that he wasn’t completely prepared for winning top honours.

“In most classes I’ve had I feel like there’s been smarter people than me,” he says, “but to be nominated is just awesome and to win it is even bigger.”

The following apprentices were recognised on the night:

• AIRAH South Australia Apprentice of the Year 2021 – James Errington of M & C Hutchins (Sponsored by ActronAir)
• AIRAH South Australia Runner-Up Apprentice of the Year 2021 – Dylan Cox of Cold Logic (Sponsored by AMCA)
• Encouragement Award – Bailey Badcoe of Polar Air Heating and Cooling (Sponsored by Air Con Serve)
• Airefrig Scholarship Award – Miller Fergusson of K & K Cooling Solutions (Sponsored by Airefrig)