Clipsal has announced ‘Sparkies Scholarship’, a training and mentorship program for South Australian electrical apprentices, culminating in the awarding of the Electrical Apprentice of the Year.

Conducted in partnership with TAFE SA, the first ten recipients of the Sparkies Scholarship were announced in August, and one will be named the South Australian Electrical Apprentice of the Year in November 2021.

Sparkies Scholarship recipients will receive specialised business training and mentoring from leading electricians of the Club Clipsal community, hands-on sessions with the latest technology and products – including a session on how to deliver innovations in home automation. Each will receive a $2,000 grant as they embark on their new career in the trade.

Clipsal vice president Chris Kerr says the company was excited to be supporting the industry through its next generation of electricians: “We see an opportunity here to provide our best apprentices with mentoring from experts in the trade and specialised training in the latest technologies and products.”

“The scholarships will provide valuable experiences for the next generation of leaders in the industry, as well as funding for the tools they need to kick start their career.

“TAFE SA offers a great training program, but most apprentices work with only one employer and these scholarships will give broader insights into the industry, innovative products and the support of some of the most respected electricians in the state.”

TAFE SA principal lecturer Scott Fereday says the scholarships will provide a fantastic opportunity and reward those apprentices who are putting in the extra effort. He adds that the apprentice of the year award would be something to aspire to.

“It will broaden their knowledge of the industry, they are working with one employer, but this program will give them an idea of the bigger picture,” he says.

The scholarships are open to third year TAFE SA electrical apprentices, selected by TAFE SA from across its nine delivery campuses. TAFE SA trains approximately 1,500 electrical apprentices annually.

This November, the Apprentice of the Year will be awarded to one of the apprentice finalists who performs the best academically, excels in the field and on the special task created by Clipsal.