A regional success story, Apollo Fabrication is fast becoming one of Australia’s leading names in structural steel for the building industry and boosting local employment and training opportunities in the process.
As demand grows for its Australian-made structural steel solutions, Apollo Fabrication CEO Caleb Jackson says the family-owned business has been expanding its workforce in Young. This has included taking on 18 new apprentices in the last two years.
“Our apprenticeship program provides young people with career pathways in a sought-after trade,” Caleb says. “It also strengthens the local economy by building skillsets and retaining those skills in our region.”
Max Jones and Dominic Grocott, from Young, and Brayden Hucker, from Grenfell, joined the Apollo Apprenticeship Program in 2022.
“The opportunity to learn a trade with a local company was a major drawcard for Max, Dominic, and Brayden,” Caleb says.
Max says he always wanted to be a boilermaker, and his apprenticeship with Apollo has allowed him to pursue his career ambitions while staying in his hometown of Young.
“I’ve always had a passion for working with metal, and Apollo has given me the perfect platform to follow my dream of becoming a boiler maker,” Max says. This opportunity has enabled Max to grow professionally without having to relocate, maintaining his ties to the community he loves.
Dominic, who is also from Young, joined the Apollo Apprenticeship Program after developing an interest in metalwork at high school. The hands-on experience he has gained at Apollo has been invaluable.
“I love the technical side of things and I am also gaining the communication skills you need when you work in a team environment,” Dominic says. “The experience I am getting, working on large projects, is awesome.”
Max and Dominic’s journey from classroom to Apollo Fabrication’s world-class manufacturing facility highlights the apprenticeship program’s success in translating academic interests into professional expertise.
One of the most exciting aspects of Max and Dominic’s apprenticeship has been their involvement in landmark projects. They have contributed to the construction of significant projects including the Sirius Building in Sydney’s CBD and the Australian War Memorial Annex in Canberra.
These high-profile projects have not only provided them with unique learning experiences but also a sense of pride in their work.
As Max and Dominic’s fellow second year apprentice Brayden says: “It’s incredible to see our work on such important projects. It really shows the impact we can have through our trade.”
Apollo Fabrication’s Apprenticeship Program demonstrates the company’s dedication to nurturing young talent and supporting social and economic growth in the region, through the creation of local jobs.
