Bradken Boilermaker Awarded National Scholarship

Mr Freeman, who completed his Boilermaker apprenticeship at Bradken’s Ipswich site in Queensland, Australia in February this year, was one of four recipients of the AUD$2,000 scholarship which recognises a select group of apprentices and trainees from across the country who have demonstrated exceptional performance on-the-job in their placement and formal training.

On receiving the scholarship Mr Freeman said, “You never go into these things [award presentations] expecting to win so I was genuinely pleased and excited to have my name announced.

“Thanks to the teams at Bradken and MIGAS for the support and for this recognition. It couldn’t have come at a better time really - my shed went under in the recent floods here in South-east Queensland and I lost a lot of my trade tools. Now I’ll be able to invest in some new ones.”

Darryl Pyne, Mining Services Manager for Bradken in New South Wales and Queensland, said Mr Freeman displayed a tremendous work ethic throughout the completion of his apprenticeship.

“Sam joined Bradken as an adult apprentice half way through his training. Over the past two years he has demonstrated a positive attitude in the workplace and a real willingness to learn from our experienced tradespeople, and we are very proud to have him on board now as a fully qualified tradesperson and Bradken team member,” Mr Pyne said.

“To have him recognised with this scholarship is fantastic and makes this old boilermaker very proud indeed, not only of Sam, but of Bradken, and our almost 20-year partnership with MIGAS developing stellar tradespeople - and more importantly, retaining them to our workforce.”

Education is a key focus area of Bradken’s commitment to supporting the communities in which we operate - hosting local apprentices, helping them learn, grow and develop skills that will carry them into the future, is an important part of that commitment.

Linda Lay, Mr Freeman’s MIGAS Field Officer also offered her praise.

“Congratulations Sam, well done and well deserved! Your hard work and the effort you have put into your apprenticeship has been recognised. Thank you to the team at Bradken for your support and giving Sam the opportunity to work and learn to become the great tradesman he is today.”

*MIGAS Apprentices & Trainees recruits, employs and supports Australians who want to get qualified in a trade through an apprenticeship or traineeship pathway. Follow the link to learn more about MIGAS (Manufacturing Industries Group Apprenticeship Scheme) and the MiScholarship Program: https://www.migas.com.au/about/migas-scholarships/.