A young Sunshine Coast apprentice has been honoured with a significant regional award.
Aircraft maintenance engineering apprentice Dylan Martin was named Apprentice of the Year at the Queensland Training Awards North Coast Regional Final.
The McDermott Aviation apprentice received the award in July and will represent the North Coast at the Queensland Training Awards state final in Brisbane in September.
Mr Martin is gaining hands-on experience across the company’s in-house engineering and maintenance operations.
His success comes as Australia continues to face strong demand for skilled aircraft engineers, with aviation companies needing a new generation of workers equipped with specialised technical skills.
Mr Martin’s achievement also highlights the career opportunities available to young people without having to leave the region to enter a highly technical industry.
McDermott Aviation currently has 20 active apprentices across its operations, reflecting the company’s focus on developing skilled aviation professionals and creating pathways into the industry.
McDermott Aviation was established on the Coast in 1982, and is Australia’s largest privately owned helicopter operator. The company employs more than 300 people globally and operates a fleet of more than 60 aircraft.
Its operations span aerial firefighting, heavy lifting, agricultural spraying, infrastructure support, emergency response, aerial application, tourism and training, with bases across Australia and the Pacific as well as international operations.
McDermott Aviation founder and president John McDermott said Mr Martin’s award was an achievement the company was proud to celebrate.
“Dylan has worked incredibly hard – he’s committed to his trade, and he has a genuine passion for aviation,” Mr McDermott said.
“To see that recognised with apprentice of the year is a fantastic achievement and we’re all very proud of him.
“Aircraft engineering is a highly skilled profession and Dylan has a very promising career ahead of him.
“He’s exactly the kind of young person we want to see coming through our industry.”
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Mr McDermott said Mr Martin’s success also highlighted the importance of developing the next generation of aviation engineers.
“There is strong demand for skilled aircraft engineers in Australia, and we need to continue encouraging young people to see aviation engineering as a rewarding, long-term career,” he said.
“That’s what makes achievements like Dylan’s so important.
“He’s not only doing exceptionally well in his own apprenticeship, he’s a great example of the talent coming through our industry.
“We want to keep creating opportunities for young people to learn from experienced engineers, develop highly specialised skills and build careers that can take them anywhere in the world.”
The Queensland Training Awards recognise outstanding apprentices, trainees, students, teachers, trainers, employers and training organisations across the state.
