This year Rheem is celebrating its 80th anniversary since it began manufacturing in Australia and five years since it kicked off the Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grants.

For 2017 there were ten grant winners from around Australia who each received $2,000 to go towards their TAFE/RTO fees and/or text books, a $1,000 voucher and tool bag.

“The plumbing industry has provided immense support to Rheem over the past 80 years and these grants are designed as a thank you and to help foster the future generation of plumbers. With data showing apprenticeships have declined in Australia, we are happy to play a small role in helping encourage those who might be struggling financially or need a morale boost to continue with their studies,” says Rheem chief operating officer Chris Taylor.

Some of the winning applicants include:

• Adam Nebelung: A sixth generation plumber who works two jobs to provide for his young family.
• Sarah Condie: An independent young woman who moved out of home at a young age and now works for the all-female Tradettes Plumbing group in Brisbane.
• Patrick Andrews: The eldest of six children, Patrick is the main breadwinner of his family and a vital support for his single mum, who requires a liver transplant.
• Mohammed Osman: After living as a refugee for 12 years, Mohammed, a father of two young children, finished high school at 27 and is now a first-year apprentice with a dream to one day go back to his birth country and help them with safe drinking water.

VIC winner Mohammed Osman

The full list of this year’s winners can be found on the Rheem website – www.rheem.com.au/apprentice

NT winner, Josh Newnham following a presentation by Rheem’s Wayne Margetich