Business is booming for the NSW regional specialists steel fabrication business, Apollo Fabrication, in Young following a $740,000 grant from the NSW Government.
The grant has funded the purchase of a new cutting machine and expanded office space and has supported Apollo in creating 41 local jobs, including 18 apprenticeships over the past two and a half years.
The company is aiming to expand its workforce up to 70 before the end of 2024.
Apollo has recently secured contracts for work on Sydney's Sirius Building and the Australian War Memorial Annex.
Founded in 2000, the family-run business started out manufacturing specialist waste management equipment before quickly evolving to become one of Australia's biggest names in the design, fabrication and installation of large, complex and architectural steelwork.
The company now provides bespoke building solutions to the education, community, health, industrial, justice, residential, and defence sectors.
To meet the growing demand for its products Apollo Fabrication has been expanding its workforce.
One member of the 62-strong Apollo Fabrication team is second year apprentice boilermaker, Max Jones, who joined the company's training program in 2022.
The opportunity to learn his trade with a local company was also a major drawcard for Max's fellow apprentice Dominic Grocott, who applied for an apprenticeship after developing an interest in metal work at school.
Both Dominic and Max have experienced the thrill of working on major projects including the Sirius Building and the Barangaroo Pier Pavilion in Sydney and the Australian Opal Centre in Lightning Ridge.
Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:
"It's fantastic to see an innovative regional business like Apollo Fabrication starring in some of the state's most striking infrastructure projects."
"I'm also pleased to see Apollo investing in the next generation of workers with an active effort to get young people into the industry as apprentices, while keeping that talent in regional NSW."
Apollo Fabrications CEO Caleb Jackson said:
"Backing local business is vital to the diversification of industry in our traditionally agricultural-based region and is helping to build skillsets and careers in other areas like manufacturing."
"In helping to upgrade our Telegraph Road facility, this investment is supporting the creation of ongoing employment and training opportunities in Young."
"Our ever-expanding manufacturing facility in Young is world-class, and we've built a team with outstanding capabilities and transferable skills."
"The fact that our project partners can achieve their goals in terms of design and construction excellence with an Australian manufacturer offers them incredible value in terms of timeframes, quality and project outcomes."
Apollo Fabrications apprentice Max Jones said:
"I have always wanted to be a boilermaker, and my apprenticeship with Apollo has been the perfect way for me to stay in Young and kickstart my career."
Apollo Fabrications apprentice Dominic Grocott said:
"I love the technical side of things and I am also gaining the communication skills you need when you work in a team environment."
"The experience I am getting, working on large projects, is awesome."
