Darwin born-and-bred lad Jack Bradley ends apprenticeship on high note with award

One born-and-bred Darwin lad is feeling ‘chuffed’ – and it’s not just because he just wrapped up his apprenticeship is now a fully qualified plumber. Find out why.

Twenty-year-old Jack Bradley, from Darwin, NT, is one of three plumbing apprentices in Australia to take out the Rheem apprentice plumber recognition award this year. Picture: Supplied

A Darwin born-and-bred lad is feeling “chuffed” – ending his apprenticeship on a high note thanks to a $1k recognition award, which only three people in the whole country received.

Twenty-year-old Jack Bradley, now a qualified plumber after wrapping up his apprenticeship, was one of three plumbing apprentices – and the only Territorian – to get the Rheem apprentice plumber recognition award this year.

Jack Bradley out on the road. Picture: Supplied

“Honestly, I’m really chuffed, and what’s even better is my parents and family are over the moon too. It’s a good feeling to know that the hard work I’ve put in over the last few years hasn’t gone unnoticed,” he said.

The winners of the award receive a $1k cash for his effort, and ever the hard worker, Mr Bradley said the money is going straight to a B-press.

“It’s one of those bits of gear that makes you work faster and join copper pipes without having to solder. It’s quicker, cleaner and there’s no need for flames, which is a big plus on certain sites,” he said.

“If I don’t go for the B-press straight away, I’ll definitely use the award to upgrade some of my other tools.

“I’m keen to jump into the commercial side of plumbing, throw myself in the deep end and keep learning. In a few years, when I’m eligible, I’ll go for my Cert IV. That’s a big step towards eventually running my own business, and that’s definitely on the radar for the future.”

Mr Bradley said he was following in his old man’s footsteps by becoming a plumber, unofficially starting his apprenticeship during his school holidays by getting on the tools with his dad.

Jack Bradley hard at work. Picture: Supplied.

Rheem Australia marketing director John Collingnon said the company has awarded more than $60k to 20 apprentices this year as part of the grants and awards program, which has been running since 2012.

“The judging panel was impressed by this group of future plumbers’ strong values and genuine passion for the trade, which we know needs to be nurtured, particularly during those early apprenticeship years,” he said.

Originally published as Darwin born-and-bred lad Jack Bradley ends apprenticeship on high note with award