By YASEMIN TALAT
HOPPERS CROSSING apprentice plumber Andre Bistisi was one of three Victorians to receive the Rheem Plumber Apprentice Grants this year.
Eighteen year-old Andre was awarded the $1000 grant to financially help him pursue his career.
Andre said he loved everything about his apprenticeship, and hoped his career choice would set him up for the future.
“I just love being outside,” Andre said.
“And there are so many aspects of plumbing; you’re not always doing the same thing every day.”
Andre said the grant helped him pay some of his school fees and buy new tools and work uniforms.
“It helped me heaps with paying for school fees, just putting a bit towards my school fees helps,” Andre said. “It was money I didn’t have.”
Andre, who is doing mostly domestic plumbing, hoped to branch into commercial jobs when he completed all his training.
There were more than 200 entries for the grant this year, and Andre said he was happy to be one of 25 apprentice plumbers Australia-wide to receive a grant.
Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grants scheme was developed to assist apprentices and young people in achieving their dreams and career objectives in plumbing.
“It’s obvious there are a lot of apprentices of all ages who are committed to the plumbing industry, but might need a helping hand,” said Rheem Australia CEO Matt Sexton.
Rheem Apprentice Plumber Grants 2013 recognised apprentices who required financial help or who were helping in the community or had future plans to do so.
