An Australian Industry Group welding apprentice has been named Female Apprentice of the Year.
Sarah Hunn-Mozes was cheered on by family and our Apprentice and Trainee Centre (ATC) team when she was announced as the winner of the prestigious award at the 2025 Apprentice Training Awards, hosted by Apprenticeship Employment Network (AEN) and Global Apprenticeship Network (GAN) Australia at Melbourne Town Hall this week.
The ATC’s Craig Hilton said Sarah’s journey into trades was “nothing short of inspiring”.
“After starting her career in social work and disability support, Sarah discovered her passion for welding during a short course at Melbourne Polytechnic,” Mr Hilton said.
“Since then, she has thrived at the ATC and her host employer, Convair Engineering, where she is now in her third stage of her welding apprenticeship.”
Known for her strong work ethic, advocacy for women in trades and wonderful personality, Sarah, pictured in red with the ATC’s Shannon Voss-Smith, has overcome challenges such as outdated attitudes and limited access to female PPE, Mr Hilton said.
During her heartfelt acceptance speech, Sarah was joined on stage by her parents, brother and partner, Jarrah.
“It was incredibly moving — a highlight of the night,” Mr Hilton said.
“Her family’s joy and pride were clear for all to see.
“We extend our thanks to Tradeswomen Australia for referring Sarah to us, Convair Engineering for providing a supportive environment for her apprenticeship and AEN Victoria for hosting an incredible awards program that celebrates the achievements of apprentices across the state.”
It was a fantastic night for the ATC team, with Max Neagle named Apprentice of the Year and Gemma McCormick, our recently graduated electrical apprentice hosted to Aggreko, applauded for winning this year’s $12,000 GAN Australia International Study Tour Scholarship.
The prize will enable Gemma to travel to Glasgow — the home of Aggreko’s global headquarters — in May next year.
Congratulations to Sarah, Max and Gemma and all the nominees, finalists and winners at AEN’s 2025 Apprentice Training Awards.
Gemma applauded for scholarship win at apprentice training awards
Wendy Larter is Communications Manager at Australian Industry Group.
A former journalist for newspapers and magazines including The Courier-Mail in Brisbane and Metro, the News of the World, The Times and Elle in the UK, she is passionate about giving businesses a voice.
