D & T Refrigeration and Air Conditioning technician, Abbey McGeachin, has joined apprentices from all over Australia to be part of the NextGen program.
CCN launched NextGen in partnership with WorldSkills Australia to showcase the best apprentices in the country and to help alleviate the current skills shortage.
McGeachin is in the third year of her apprenticeship and says going to work has never been a chore because no two days are the same.
“I love being able to work in different locations across Melbourne solving client problems and working with my team mates,” she said.
“My gender isn’t an issue; they have accepted me for who I am and just see me as one of the team.”
Sponsored by Daikin Australia, NextGen is searching for the Top 20 technicians under 25 years of age and winners will be announced in August.
After completing her apprenticeship, McGeachin says she wants to hone her skills working on large scale commercial refrigeration installations.
Another NextGen nominee that is keen to complete his apprenticeship is Canberra-based technician, Ryan Harris. He is in his final year and works at ETS Refrigeration.
“Refrigeration and Air Conditioning is such a versatile trade, we do a bit of electrical, a bit of refrigeration, a bit of everything and that is what makes it so interesting,” Harris said.
“As an apprentice I had to start on smaller jobs but eventually I am looking forward to doing bigger refrigeration projects.
“I have recently worked my way up to being on-call.”
For apprentices wishing to participate in NextGen time is running out as nominations close on June 15, 2020. To nominate go to www.climatecontrolnews.com.au/nextgen