{"id":766873,"date":"2026-06-29T02:24:09","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T02:24:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/766873\/"},"modified":"2026-06-29T02:24:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T02:24:09","slug":"rheem-backs-apprentice-plumbers-inside-construction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/766873\/","title":{"rendered":"Rheem backs apprentice plumbers &#8211; Inside Construction"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Rheem Australia has awarded $75,000 in grants to 25 apprentice plumbers across the country, including five recipients of the newly introduced State Excellence Awards.<\/p>\n<p>Established in 2012, the Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grants support apprentices who demonstrate commitment to the trade and its future. Each recipient will receive a $2,000 grant to support training costs and a $1,000 tool voucher.<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 program comes as apprentices face rising cost-of-living pressures and the upfront costs of entering the trade. A January 2026 Rheem survey of 178 apprentice plumbers found 60 per cent identified tools and training as their biggest financial challenge, alongside everyday expenses such as rent, food and utilities.<\/p>\n<p>Despite these pressures, many apprentices are pursuing plumbing as a long-term career. More than 76 per cent of survey respondents said they were drawn to the trade for its hands-on nature, reflecting continued interest in skills-based career pathways.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cApprentices are entering the trade at a challenging time, but what we\u2019re seeing is a generation that is highly motivated, skilled and keen to make a difference in their community,\u201d said John Collignon, marketing director at Rheem Australia. \u201cThrough these grants, we\u2019re proud to support apprentices with the tools and training they need to succeed and to help strengthen the future of the plumbing industry.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Related stories:<\/p>\n<p>When surveyed by Rheem, 40 per cent of apprentice plumbers noted the common misconception that apprentices \u201cjust fix toilets\u201d. This year\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rheem.com.au\/rheem\/help\/offers-and-incentives\/rheem-apprentice-plumber-grants\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">grant<\/a> recipients, however, described their apprenticeships as multifaceted and skilled.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis shift reflects a workforce embracing new tools and approaches, while still valuing the technical skill and craftsmanship that underpins their role,\u201d said Collignon. \u201cWhat\u2019s coming through is a generation of apprentices who are not only capable on the tools, but are adapting to new ways of working.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Collignon said many recipients also spoke about the satisfaction they gain from helping customers and communities access reliable running and hot water.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhether it\u2019s fixing a leaking tap, keeping hot water running or making sure a solution is compliant, for many, the reward lies in helping others,\u201d said Collignon.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith a generation of apprentices motivated by a genuine drive to serve their communities, the future of plumbing is in good hands. Their blend of traditional skills, adaptability to new technologies, and commitment to making a positive impact ensures the industry continues to thrive and meet the evolving needs of Australians.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Introduced in 2026, the State Excellence Awards recognise the top applicants from each state group.<\/p>\n<p>2026 Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grant recipients<\/p>\n<p>Ashley Condon, ACT, Level Plumbing Canberra<br \/>\nJoey Timmer, NSW, Good Plumbing and Gas<br \/>\nAli Sarrah, NSW, High Flow Plumbing<br \/>\nJoseph Currall, NSW, Country to Coast Plumbing<br \/>\nDanny Monico, NSW, Central West Plumbing and Gas Fitting<br \/>\nLuke Porter, NSW, PJB Plumbing Solutions<br \/>\nEmma D\u2019Herereux, NSW, Ruttley Services<br \/>\nLili Zmisa, NSW, FJ Group<br \/>\nBrock Hore, NSW, Goulburn Plumbing<br \/>\nKeneth Duke, NSW, No Leaks Plumbing<br \/>\nJohn Steinhour, NSW, Lahene Plumbing<br \/>\nNed Dyer, QLD, KPM Plumbing<br \/>\nLochlann Hogan, QLD, Precision Plumbing and Gas<br \/>\nJack Selwood, QLD, Master Plumbing and Gas<br \/>\nDavd Telea, QLD, Cottee Plumbing<br \/>\nDavid Coultas, VIC, Hydrotek Plumbing<br \/>\nRuby Taraanto, VIC, Cooke n Dowsett<br \/>\nDaniel Ciccone, VIC, WP Plumbing<br \/>\nZhaoliang Xu, VIC, Dean Moore Plumbing<br \/>\nRachael Schmidt, WA, Gascoyne Plumbing Solutions<\/p>\n<p>2026 Rheem State Excellence Award winners<\/p>\n<p>Kylan Martinelli, (NSW and ACT), Master Builders Association<br \/>\nRicky Dunn, (QLD), Hilditch Plumbing<br \/>\nDaniel Sparshott, (VIC and TAS), Grant Chugg Plumbing<br \/>\nJake Freedendal (SA and NT), Heaps Good Gas and Plumbing<br \/>\nMatthew Boening, (WA), Ember Plumbing<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Rheem Australia has awarded $75,000 in grants to 25 apprentice plumbers across the country, including five recipients of&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":766874,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[64,63,365132,365133,365134,105],"class_list":["post-766873","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-technology","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-rheem","tag-rheem-apprentice-plumber-grants","tag-rheem-australia","tag-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/766873","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=766873"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/766873\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/766874"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=766873"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=766873"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=766873"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}