Zeal Futures Excellence Awards.

Matthew originally commenced his mechanical engineering studies through university, but decided to pursue a more hands-on pathway, leading him to complete a Mechanical apprenticeship with Zeal Futures and Origin Energy. Matt has thrived in his apprenticeship, earning respect from peers and supervisors for his skills and leadership. Since completing his Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade, Matt has also completed a Certificate IV in Fluid Power and is continuing to develop his technical and leadership skills in the power generation industry.

Rebecca completed her Certificate IV Information Technology traineeship with Zeal Futures and Inner West Council in 2024. Demonstrating unwavering passion, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to obtaining her qualification, Rebecca excelled in both her workplace and RTO studies. Her exceptional performance led to her being offered a position at Inner West Council prior to the completion of her traineeship.

Jakob is a third year Engineering Fabrication student with Zeal Futures Learning (RTO 90304). Jakob takes great pride in his work, consistently delivering high-quality output with keen attention to detail. As a natural leader, Jakob always takes initiative to assist and support other students. He is knowledgeable about his trade, very punctual, and adheres to all policies and procedures. Jakob’s strong work ethic and dedication to the job have earned him widespread respect from his colleagues and class mates.

As a mother of four, Abbey faced numerous challenges whilst pursuing her career, however her resilience and determination have allowed her to complete a Digital Service Representative traineeship with Zeal Futures and Service NSW Grafton. Abbey’s performance both on-the-job and in her studies has been consistently impressive, achieving high results and demonstrating a strong commitment to her professional development. Abbey has been offered an ongoing role with Service NSW to continue her customer service career.

After a career in graphic design, Kasey decided she wanted a change and was determined to work in the electrical field, leading her to complete a Certificate II in Electrotechnology. Kasey secured an electrical apprenticeship with Zeal Futures and host employer, Origin Energy in January 2021, where she has since demonstrated dedication and enthusiasm towards learning her trade. In 2022, Kasey was named Student of the Year and received the Milton Morris Encouragement Award, highlighting her consistent hard work and dedication throughout her apprenticeship.

Dejan commenced his Mobile Plant Technology school-based apprenticeship with Zeal Futures, hosted by South Coast Equipment (SCE) in 2024. In this time, Dejan has shown strong commitment to completing his working hours, which he achieved almost 12 months in advance. Dejan has displayed great enthusiasm toward his learning and demonstrated a strong commitment to understanding both the theory and practical components of his training, consistently exceeding the standard requirements of his role.

Zaafira commenced her Certificate III Information Technology traineeship with eHealth NSW in July 2022. With a passion for working with technology, Zaafira knew that she wanted to pursue a career in IT, and despite facing challenges and learning difficulties along the way, she showed great resilience and determination toward completing her traineeship. With the right support and a positive attitude, Zaafira completed the remaining 10 of 13 units within 6 months before successfully securing ongoing employment with eHealth.

Charlotte always had a passion for hands-on work, and wanted to pursue an opportunity in the mechanical field. Since commencing her mobile plant apprenticeship with Zeal Futures and Attila Group in 2025, Charlotte has received positive feedback from her peers and mentors, and demonstrates a strong work ethic both on-the-job and with her studies. Despite some challenges, Charlotte continues to develop and shows great potential to become a talented tradesperson.

Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG) stands as a leader in Australia’s coal export sector. NCIG showcases a strong dedication to workforce development, seamlessly integrating its apprenticeship program with Zeal Futures alongside leadership training, specialist certifications, and structured career pathways. Their proactive investment in employee growth, unwavering commitment to safety, and inclusive workplace culture have resulted in a remarkable 100% apprentice completion rate. NCIG is equally committed to fostering diversity, providing targeted opportunities for women to pursue careers in non-traditional trades.

Since 2018, Sydney Airport Corporation has partnered with Zeal Futures, hosting 13 apprentices across the electrical and mechanical fitting trades. They champion a robust culture of safety, health, and wellbeing, embedding these principles across all levels of their operations. Through comprehensive safety training, role-specific programs aligned with industry best practice, and a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion, Sydney Airport ensures that safety is at the core of both technical and everyday workplace activities.

Whitehaven Coal is one of Australia’s premier coal producers, currently hosting 27 Zeal Futures apprentices across their Maules Creek and Narrabri mine sites. They prioritise sustainability, safety, and excellence, ensuring a secure working environment through continuous communication, frequent safety updates, detailed maintenance reporting, and comprehensive risk management processes. Their commitment to safety ensures that all employees and apprentices are well-supported and well-prepared.

Buckley’s Plant Maintenance is a family-owned and operated business based in Wollongong, delivering plant repairs and maintenance services across the mining and construction industries. Through their specialist divisions, Buckland Auto Electrical and BITR Enterprises, they have hosted 25 apprentices over the past decade, many of whom have achieved award-winning success. Notably, one of their apprentices represented Australia at the International WorldSkills Competition in Abu Dhabi after winning both regional and national competitions, exemplifying Buckley’s exceptional support and training environment.

PGSR is a leading energy and industry service provider that has hosted 7 Zeal Futures apprentices and trainees since 2017. Dedicated to career development, PGSR collaborates closely with staff to align opportunities with personal career goals. Their focus on clean energy initiatives exposes apprentices to cutting-edge projects, equipping them with skills and experiences that will drive the future of the energy sector.

Established in 1986, Triple i has evolved from a regional process control specialist into a national leader in automation, electrical, instrumentation, and mechanical services. Their apprenticeship and traineeship programs, with a completion rate of 84%, offer opportunities across electrical, mechanical, and business disciplines, driven by a strong culture of innovation and inclusion. Triple i is committed to empowering its team members, encouraging them to leave a lasting impact within the organisation and industry.

Since 2017, Service NSW has hosted more than 500 trainees across Service Centres statewide. Their program is deeply committed to diversity and skills development, with over 14% of trainees identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and 11% from culturally or linguistically diverse backgrounds. In 2022, Service NSW, alongside the Department of Communities and Justice, launched the Out of Home Care program to create additional opportunities for disadvantaged individuals, reinforcing their commitment to inclusive career pathways.

The Digital Field Services (DFS) team within the NSW Department of Education provides vital IT support to around 800,000 students and 95,000 teachers across the state. Over the past two years, Digital Field Services has supported 34 Zeal Futures trainees through both the Department’s IT Traineeship Program and the 1,000 NSW Public Sector Apprentices & Trainees initiative. Their training approach blends hands-on experience with structured learning, ensuring trainees receive the guidance, resources, and feedback needed to succeed in the education technology sector.

Origin Energy, a leader in Australia’s energy landscape, has hosted around 100 Zeal Futures apprentices and trainees across multiple fields. With a strong emphasis on quality training and innovation, Origin has produced numerous award-winning apprentices, with the program having 80% completion rates, 12% Indigenous participation and 18% women in non-traditional trades. Their commitment to fostering career success through vocational education and hands-on learning is at the heart of their continued excellence.

Shoalhaven City Council has partnered with Zeal Futures for over 30 years, hosting more than 350 apprentices and trainees across diverse industries, including business, horticulture, civil construction, and heavy vehicle operations. With a strong emphasis on training, safety, and employee support, Council maintains a high retention rate and consistently delivers quality workplace experiences. Their commitment to nurturing local talent, fostering diversity and inclusion, and achieving a strong completion rate of 75% has made them a leading employer in the community.

Karen has been an integral part of the team for over 18 years, working as a Workforce Solutions Specialist across the Hunter, Shoalhaven, and Illawarra regions. Karen has supported over 500 apprentices, trainees, and school-based trainees, achieving an outstanding 85% completion rate. Karen is no stranger to excellence, having won Employee of the Year in 2008. Known for her passion and unwavering support, many of Karen’s apprentices and trainees have also been recognised at national, state, and regional levels, like 2024 state winner and national finalist, Rachael Pearson.

When Nick joined the team over18 months ago, our ACE delivery needed rebuilding after COVID and loss of relationships due to staff movements within our partner organisations. Despite no experience in the sector, Nick has been a pivotal part of our ACE delivery on the Central Coast, successfully meeting all targets and delivering 12 months’ worth of ACE funding/programs in 6 months. He has also worked with providers to create new and exciting programs that cater to the needs of each clientele.

In her 3 years with Zeal Futures, Holly has demonstrated exceptional commitment and leadership, expanding her role to include responsibility for safety. Despite safety being a new area, she has quickly become a reliable and knowledgeable advisor. Holly is highly regarded for her ability to support staff at all levels, and for her professionalism and integrity. She has also made valuable contributions to several strategic projects across the business including our Candidate Attraction and Diversity and Inclusion Strategies, further highlighting her impact and dedication.

Mas National (Mas), part of the IntoWork Group, has over 25 years of experience in employment and apprenticeship support across Australia. As an Apprentice Connect Provider and Workforce Australia Provider, we partner with government, industry, employers, and individuals to facilitate apprenticeship sign-ups, deliver targeted mentoring, and create workforce opportunities in various industries. Our services are tailored to meet the unique needs of each stakeholder, ensuring flexibility and adaptability. Whether you’re a job seeker, small business owner, employer, or community member, Mas offers personalised support to help you succeed.

Glencore is one of Australia’s largest coal producers. We operate a mixture of open cut and underground coal mines in New South Wales and Queensland, providing work for about 10,000 people across 15 operations. Our Australian coal business, headquartered in the Hunter Valley, managed the production of 98 million tonnes of saleable thermal and coking coal in 2023. We are also proud to have one of the coal industry’s largest apprenticeship programs with more than 250 apprentices.  

Chart Industries Inc. (Chart) is a leading independent global manufacturer of highly engineered equipment and services related to cryogenic gas processing and rotating equipment. Chart products are widely used across industry, leisure, science, medical, food and beverage, water treatment, and clean energy. We are committed to excellence in environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) issues both for our company as well as our customers. Globally, Chart has more than 60 manufacturing sites, operations in 50 countries, products installed in 169 countries, over 50 repair and services sites, 1500 engineers, and 1000 trademarks and patents.

The NSW Minerals Council is the leading industry association representing the state’s minerals industry, providing a united voice for our members. We work closely with governments, industry groups, and business and community leaders, so that our member companies can continue to operate as part of a strong, responsible, and sustainable mining industry in NSW.

Origin is Australia’s leading integrated energy company with interests that span gas exploration and production, energy retailing and power generation including a growing portfolio of large-scale renewable and energy storage projects. We are proud to have employed 98 apprentices and trainees at Eraring since 2013, and to have 21 currently engaged.  Recruiting outstanding talent strengthens our ability to get energy right, and to help build a skilled future workforce to support Australia’s growing energy industry.

Peabody stands at the forefront of the coal industry, supplying essential coal fuelling the production of both energy and steel. We are strongly committed to sustainability; our approach not only protects our people and respects the environment but also strategically guides our path forward. Our operations are split into three dynamic portfolios: seaborne thermal, seaborne metallurgical, and U.S. thermal. Peabody excels in the Asia Pacific seaborne metallurgical market with safe and efficient Australian mines, supporting high quality global steel production.

Cloud Assess is a purpose-built training and assessment platform for RTOs and frontline teams. Start training in two-clicks while ensuring compliance and high completion rates. Designed to eliminate paperwork and manual processes, it offers AI, digital assessments, automation, and real-time tracking to enhance learning efficiency. Whether you’re delivering accredited courses or workplace skills training, Cloud Assess provides the tools to train smarter, track progress, and maintain compliance with ease.

PGSR is a locally owned subsidiary with a workforce of over 500 highly skilled professionals, equipped with a state-of-the-art custom workshop and a comprehensive inventory of specialised tools. Focused on delivering solutions, we provide adaptable options tailored to meet the unique needs of our customers. A one-stop-shop covering workshop operations, construction, precision works on turbines and generators for steam, gas & hydro plant, windfarm maintenance and refurbishment, defence fuel storage maintenance, shutdowns and outage works, electrical installations, and much more.

turbo is an Australian-built Applicant Tracking Solution (ATS) that streamlines recruitment for HR teams, internal recruiters, and agencies. turbo combines advanced technology with a deep understanding of the unique needs of Australian and New Zealand businesses to integrate candidate sourcing, applicant screening & tracking, compliance, and onboarding in a seamless, feature-rich solution. turbo’s commitment to local support and tailored solutions helps businesses of all sizes find, hire, and onboard the right talent faster, reducing hiring costs and improving recruitment outcomes.