Brandon Taylor from Outside Ideas named Indigenous Apprentice of the Year

We are very proud to report that Brandon Taylor, a proud Narungga and Ngarrindjeri man, was announced as the winner of the Indigenous Apprentice of the Year Award at the Civil Contractors Federation SA’s annual Industry and Training Awards on Friday night. We first met Brandon in November 2021 while he was completing Year 11 at Roma Mitchell Secondary College and arranged a trial at Outside Ideas for him in January 2022. Brandon was introduced to us through Hansen Yuncken’s Pathway to Construction program, a partnership with the South Australian Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy (SAASTA), thanks to a connection made by Mark Wilson of Hansen Yuncken. Based on his performance during his trial, we offered Brandon a school-based apprenticeship with a schedule of three days of work and two days at school. In collaboration with his VET coordinator David King and his full-time caregiver, we set two clear expectations around this opportunity: Brandon needed to lift his school attendance to 100% and improve his academic performance. He not only met these goals but exceeded them, completing his SACE and Year 12 a month early, and transitioning into full-time work with us in October 2022. Brandon remained involved with SAASTA throughout his apprenticeship. At his first industry expo, it was clear how well respected he is: teachers, staff, and fellow students all recognise Brandon as a leader. He continues to be a role model within his community and has also spoken in front of student groups who are exploring a career in civil construction.