Western Australia’s top plumbing talent has officially been revealed at the 2025 NextGen Skills and Ascora Job Management Plumbing Apprentice Training and Employment Awards Gala Dinner.
Held on Saturday at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, the prestigious event recognised the outstanding achievements of apprentices, employers, educators and training providers from the plumbing sector across WA.
Celebrating Plumbing Excellence in WA
Ten award categories were presented, including Apprentice of the Year, Host Employer of the Year and the Innovation in Training Award.
The coveted 2025 Caroma & NextGen Skills Plumbing Apprentice of the Year was awarded to Samuel Botteon-Peruch. Samuel was offered an apprenticeship after working at Reece for two years after leaving high school. Judges acknowledged Samuel’s high level of professionalism, clear intent and diligent focus on workplace safety. The 4th year Bunbury Plumbing Services apprentice entered the competition to test his mettle against WA’s top talent and to ‘just give it a go!’
“It was a really good competition. My first year going for it. It was a good bit of fun and a good learning curve – we didn’t know what we were up against. It was really good going head-to-head with some of the best in the state. I’m just really proud to be here and to be a part of this,” Samuel said.
Selected Plumbing took out the 2025 Galvins Plumbing Supplies Plumbing Apprentice Host Employer of the Year award. Wade Smith and his team were recognised for creating a welcoming and supportive work environment with an exceptional learning platform for apprentices. Selected Plumbing consistently delivers excellent outcomes and is renowned for shaping their apprentices into confident, capable tradespeople.
NextGen Skills CEO, Ben Dahlstrom, expressed his pride in the evening’s achievements. “The depth of talent on display tonight is truly remarkable. The support we’ve received for these awards underscores the industry’s commitment to developing the next generation of excellence in plumbing. We are incredibly proud of all the winners, finalists, and entrants who have demonstrated that the future of the profession is in good hands and that the training being provided is world-class.”
Industry Recognition & Support
The gala night was made possible by a strong contingent of industry sponsors including:
- Principal Sponsor Ascora Job Management
- Gold Sponsors Caroma, CBUS Super and Galvins Plumbing Supplies
- Silver Sponsors Allied Pumps, Samios Plumbing Supplies, IntoWork, Coerco, MM Kembla, Rinnai, Galvin Engineering, Pride Industries and the Construction Training Fund.
- Bronze Sponsors: DeWALT, REHAU, Acu-Tech Piping Systems, Tradelink, AHSCA WA, WATTS/AVG/Enware, Steel Blue, Rheem, RWC and Reece.
Full List of 2025 Plumbing Award Winners
- Caroma & NextGen Skills Plumbing Apprentice of the Year WINNER: Samuel Botteon-Peruch, employed by Bunbury Plumbing Services
- CBUS Super & NextGen Skills Plumbing Apprentice of the Year RUNNER-UP: Denver Stewart, employed by Tilley’s Contracting
- CTF & NextGen Skills Plumbing Apprentice of the Year THIRD PLACE: Callen Temple, employed by Paragon Plumbing
- Stephen Movley & Pride Industries Plumbing Industry Service Award: Paul White and Peter Morris
- AHSCA WA & NextGen Skills Innovation in Training Award: Allied Pumps Commercial
- Tradelink & NextGen Skills Apprentice Employment Consultant Recognition Award: Gary Helferty – Selected Plumbing
- Galvins Plumbing Supplies & NextGen Skills Plumbing Apprentice Host Employer of the Year (more than 5 NextGen Skills Apprentices): Selected Plumbing
- Rheem & NextGen Skills Plumbing Apprentice Host Employer of the Year (up to 5 NextGen Skills apprentices): Snap Plumbing & Construction
- Reece & Nextgen Skills Plumbing Apprentice Achievement/Encouragement Award: Hung Thach, employed by ITC Plumbing
- Steel Blue & NextGen Skills Plumbing Pre-Apprentice Host Employer of the Year: Effective Plumbing
- RWC & NextGen Skills Plumbing Pre-Apprentice Achievement/Encouragement Award: Tayte Smith, employed by Selected Plumbing