A Townsville City Council instrumentation apprentice is swapping his screwdrivers for a suit as he heads to Brisbane to represent North Queensland in the Queensland Training Awards state final this weekend.
Council apprentice Sean Malcolm took out the prestigious Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year award at the North Queensland regional final in July.
He's set to take on six other apprentices from around the state at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Saturday night.
Sean said it was he was honored to take out the regional final and to be able to represent Council on the stage in Brisbane.
"You don't choose a career like being an electrician to receive awards, but after completing my electrical apprenticeship in December and taking on a Certificate III in Instrumentation and Control, it's great to get a bit of recognition for all the hard work," Sean said.
"I took on a role at Council because of the varied work and experience you get in all sorts of things.
"One day you could be working in the water treatment plant, the next day you're working on traffic lights or you're on the way to Magnetic Island or the Strand to do maintenance."
Following in his electrician father's footsteps, Sean said he was excited to see what was in store for his career after finishing his Instrumentation apprenticeship.
"Dad's an electrician and he said getting an apprenticeship at Council would give me experience across the board, and he certainly wasn't wrong," he said.
"After completing my electrical apprenticeship in December last year, I decided to take on a Certificate III in Instrumentation and Control to expand my skillset and my options in the electrical industry.
"I've learnt so much and it always helps being surrounded by a great team, so I'm excited to see what Saturday brings in Brisbane."
Council's Acting Chief Executive Officer, Joe McCabe said Council was proud to employ more than 50 apprentices and trainees and he wished Sean all the best in the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training's State finals.
"Council is proud to be able to train the next generation of skilled workers and with apprentices like Sean on the books I think our region's future is looking bright," Mr McCabe said.
"Council went into the North Queensland regional finals with four finalist nominations, with two in the apprentice of the year category, one in the trainee of the year award and Council being named as a finalist in the Large Employer of the year category, so I'm really proud of all of our team and their hard work.
"We all know there is a shortage of skilled workers and with a jam-packed pipeline of projects in North Queensland's future, I'm pleased Council is known for training the best of the best.
"We wish Sean the best of luck and are backing him 100 per cent."
