Our sponsor Rheem has recently announced the 10 recipients of the 2023 Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grants.
Each recipient will receive $2,000 to assist with their TAFE/RTO fees and textbooks, and $1,000 to help the newcomers build their all-important trade toolbox.
Out of 52 South Australian applicants, Middleton man Zac Stichel is the only South Australian recipient of the Rheem Apprentice Plumbing Grants. Originally from the Adelaide Hills, Zac is now based in Middleton and working as a first-year apprentice for Victor Harbor commercial construction company Adams and Co Constructions. In his spare time, Zac is also a first-responder and volunteer. In this line of duty, Zac has helped out with medical assists, car accidents, as well as structure fires and bushfires.
How did you hear about the Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grants?
My field officer told me about it. He said I should have a crack, and that he thought I had a good shot at it. That’s the good thing about plumbing, your field officers have your back, they come out and check on you and make sure you’re going along okay.
What was the application process like?
Good, it was pretty straightforward. [The assessors] asked questions about what I’d change about the plumbing industry, my acts of service in the community, what’d I do with the grant if I won and those sorts of things.
What would you change about the plumbing industry?
I wrote about the lack of female representation in the plumbing field. I think a push to get women involved in plumbing would be good. I haven’t seen a woman plumber on a worksite, or even at TAFE - you don’t see them.
I also think the workplace culture around Work Health & Safety needs to change. It can get a bit interesting at work with some people’s different experience levels and attitudes on work health and safety. I’m a big believer in Work Health & Safety, I’m always giving out new [safety] glasses to the other guys if theirs get broken. You only get one set of eyes, you know?
How did you get the news you’d won? How did you feel?
They gave me a call four days before to say I’d been short-listed. I then had to do a quick Teams call with my student ID, just to confirm my identity. On the 23rd of May, they rang me mid-morning to tell me I’d won.
So I went around sharing the news with Jack, my co-worker, my host and my field officer. They were all really stoked for me, it was really good.
You get $1,000 to spend on your tools. Is there anything in particular you’re eyeing off?
I’ve got a few bits of copper gear in mind. I’d like a set of copper benders and copper cutters, because I don’t have those and I want to get more into water services. I’d like a decent spirit level. I’ve got pipe cutters, but they’re cheap ones so I’d want to replace those. And I’d like to get some power tools.
Is there a brand of tools you prefer?
I like Milwaukee tools – only one person in our company uses another brand and we give him a bit of flack for it. They’re reliable and high-powered, can’t complain about that. I’ve got a whole list of things I’d love to get.
For those who were not successful this year, we encourage you to keep an eye out for the next Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grants program.
If you have any questions about the Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grants, please email rheemgrants@impactagency.com.au