Samer moved from Perth to Sydney to take up an apprenticeship with Endeavour Energy, a decision made easy due to the strong demand for electricians in NSW, among the top 20 in demand jobs according to Jobs and Skills Australia.

“During the pandemic, I was unfortunately laid off from my retail job. This made me reconsider my life goals, and I decided I wanted to pursue a career where I knew there would be strong growth and security,” Samer said.

“Apprenticeships are such a great way to learn, combining hands-on real life experience with class-based training. The skills I learnt as part of my Certificate III in Electrotechnology at TAFE NSW meant I was ready to meet the challenges of working in a highly specialised field. Every day can be a new experience.”

“It was an honour to be recognised as Apprentice of the Year for the Western Sydney and Blue Mountains region. It’s a testimony to the people who trained me, and a reflection of the investments made to get me to where I am today. My hope is that I can use my platform to encourage more people to consider vocational training and a trade career.”

Now employed as a Substation Technologist in Western Sydney’s Glendenning, Samer’s role involves restoring power after storms and building new parts of the state’s electricity network to provide power to homes and businesses.

"A single sub-station powers 1,000 homes. The joy of keeping my community's lights on, even if my name isn't known, is priceless.”

Endeavour Energy’s Apprentice Support Manager, Darryl Leslie, says Samer is a solid example of where an electrical apprenticeship can take a career.

“Nominating Samer for Western Sydney Apprentice of the Year was a no-brainer. He has great skills that he’s learnt on the job and through TAFE NSW, and he’s passionate about being an ambassador for apprenticeships. Through his numerous school visits in Western Sydney, he’s keen to showcase to the next generation the opportunities available in the electricity and energy sector.”

Media contact: Sarah James, Communications Specialist, sarah.james70@tafensw.edu.au.

The NSW Training Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector, showcasing exceptional talent and rewarding career paths. Supported by Training Services NSW, the awards emphasise the importance of a skilled workforce for a strong economy. Following his regional win, Samer is now a contender to win Apprentice of the Year at the NSW State Training Awards in September 2024.