Rheem Australia has awarded a total of $30,000 to the 10 deserving recipients of the 2021 Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grants, as Aussie apprentices bounce back after a challenging year.

This year saw the most diverse set of applicants in the grants’ history, ranging from remote communities in the Northern Territory, to Kalgoorlie in Western Australia, Berriedale in Tasmania and everywhere in between.

Many of the 187 applicants have given up work in other industries to pursue a new career in plumbing. In 2021, more than half of the applications were from mature-age apprentices.

Chief Operating Officer at Rheem Australia, Chris Taylor, says, “The Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grants have always been a way to welcome those entering the plumbing industry. Rheem is passionate about investing in the development of skills in an industry that is in high demand, but has a declining growth rate.”

This year’s judging panel included Scott Dowsett, President of MPA Victoria, Scott Robinson, plumber and former TAFE teacher of the year, Kevin Price, National Service Training and Systems Manager at Rheem Australia and Aimee Stanton, plumber turned DIY and Tiny House creator.

Rheem is proud to announce this year’s Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grant ($3,000 each) recipients:

• Bradley Searle, NT, East Arnhem Plumbing Services
• Isaac Annous, NSW, All Purpose Plumbing
• Jacobie Welsh, VIC, O’Brien Plumbing Bendigo
• Jai Seers, VIC, Shinners Plumbing Pty Ltd
• Matthew Allen, QLD, Ruben Taylor Plumbing and Gas
• Riley Cameron, QLD, Perren & Penny Plumbing
• Tayla Billing, SA, Keeltay Pty Ltd
• Taylor Metcalf, VIC, ACP Plumbing Solutions
• Teisha Sethi-Swindail, NSW, Jeff Maguire Plumbing
• Christian Kirkendall, NSW, Water Waste & Gas Plumbing

Due to the high volume and standard of applicants this year, in addition to the 10 recipients, Rheem also granted one apprentice plumber with a special $500 Rheem Apprentice Plumber Recognition Award. Rheem is honoured to announce this year’s Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grant Recognition Award recipient.

• Adam Annous, NSW, All Purpose Plumbing

“It was an incredibly tough decision for our judges this year, with so many worthy apprentice plumbers applying. We would like to sincerely thank all our applicants, their employers, TAFE and RTO teachers, and plumbing merchants.

“Since launching the Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grants in 2012, we have discovered just how many remarkable apprentices there are around Australia,” concludes Taylor.

Each Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grant recipient will receive $2,000 to assist with their TAFE/RTO fees and textbooks, $1,000 to help them build their all-important trade toolbox, and a tool tote bag for transport and storage of their tools on the jobsite.

Since the Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grants program was launched in 2012, over $300,000 in Grants have been awarded to apprentice plumbers.

Rheem Australia – www.rheem.com.au