Master Builders ACT CEO Anna Neelagama, landscaper-turned-apprentice carpenter and 2025 Apprentice of the Year Jay Botterill, Master Builders ACT Carpentry Trainer Braeden Crosswell-Snow and ACT Training Fund Authority CEO Jo Whitfield. Photos: Paul Chapman/Mode Imagery.
Mastery, dedication and new beginnings were celebrated when Master Builders ACT announced the winners of its 2025 Apprentice Awards during National Apprentice Week.
Fourteen apprentices were recognised for outstanding achievement, highlighting the vital role of new talent in the building and construction industry.
Mature-age apprentice Jay Botterill of Crafted Design & Build was named 2025 Apprentice of the Year, proving it’s never too late to excel in a new career.
“It was pretty nerve-wracking. I didn’t go there expecting to win. In fact, I thought a workmate of mine had it in the bag,” he said.
Mr Botterill, who pivoted from a career in landscaping, concreting and rendering to undertake a carpentry apprenticeship at 32, said he hoped it would allow him to do more in residential construction.
“It’s my dream to build homes, including my own one day,” he said.
“Way, way down the track, I hope to start a business, combining my skills as a carpenter and background in landscaping, with the skills of a few mates who want to collaborate. One’s a plumber, and another is a sparky. Like me, they’re a bit older, and we share philosophies about the quality of our work.”
Stage 2 Winner Jake Rapana and Stage 1 Winner George Denny were also recognised, while the 2025 Certificate IV Building and Construction Student of the Year award went to Kris Gardner.
Master Builders ACT CEO Anna Neelagama said the awards were an opportunity to celebrate apprentices while reinforcing the importance of skills development for the sector.
“The building and construction sector is vital to our economy, and it is crucial that we attract young people into this field. The 2025 Apprentice Awards not only celebrate the achievements of our apprentices but also serve as an inspiration for future generations,” she said.
“With all 26 construction trades in the ACT in shortage, investing in skills is not only a ‘nice to have’, it is essential for the future of our industry.”
She also reflected on the program’s long-term impact, noting the success of past winners.
“Our apprentice of the year alumni include many carpentry apprentices who have gone on to be builders, business owners and Master Builders,” she said.
“This even includes NRL legend and head coach of the Australian Kangaroos, Kevin Walters, who was our Apprentice of the Year in 1989.
“We are very proud of this legacy program and all it achieves and delivers for the ACT and region.”
The winners of the 2025 Apprentice Awards were:
- 2025 Apprentice of the Year: Jay Botterill, Crafted Design & Build
- Carpentry Stage 1 Winner: George Denny, Country Builders
- Carpentry Stage 1, 1A, Class Winner: Nicholas Dei Rocini, Crafted Design & Build
- Carpentry Stage 1, 1B, Class Winner: George Denny, Country Builders
- Carpentry Stage 2 Winner: Jake Rapana, IC Formwork Services
- Carpentry Stage 2, 2A, Class Winner: Jake Rapana, IC Formwork Services
- Carpentry Stage 2, 2B, Class Winner: Aston Lockwood, Chris Walmsley Building Solutions
- Carpentry Stage 2, 2C, Class Winner: Samuel Ross, Group One Residential
- Carpentry Stage 2, 2D, Class Winner: Farouk Kafalaj, K DIB Carpentry
- Carpentry Stage 3, 3F, Class Winner: Jake Dawes, Jaymax Construction
- Carpentry Stage 3, 3A, Class Winner: Jay Botterill, Crafted Design & Build
- Carpentry Stage 3, 3B, Class Winner: Harry Hannaford, AMC Homes
- Carpentry Stage 3, 3E, Class Winner: Riley Kelly, Lifespan Building Group
- Class of 2025 Cert IV Building and Construction Student of the Year: Kristopher ‘Kris’ Gardner, Capcorp Constructions.
