Twenty-two-year-old Essential Energy powerline worker Jack De Freitas has been crowned Western NSW Apprentice of the Year, having recently completed his apprenticeship with the company last year.
De Freitas has an infectious enthusiasm when it comes to his job. Every power pole, wire and restored connection is a reminder of why he chose a hands-on career close to home.
“I’m a sucker for driving past jobs I’ve done and going “I did that!”. I love it,” he said.
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“I love getting up in the morning because I know we’re going to be out there working hard for our community and making sure the lights stay on.”
For Cowra Depot senior operations supervisor Tom Sheridan, that passion goes a long way to explaining why Jack won the prestigious apprentice award, putting him on the path to being a state finalist.
“I put him up for the award because he has such an amazing can-do attitude and is so mature for his age,” he said.
“He deserves every accolade because he just wants to get out there and make a difference for our customers every day. We’re all really proud of how well he has done.”
De Freitas said he wanted a job that was hands-on, where every day was different, and the work mattered to his community.
“I wanted to do something where, at the end of the day, I actually saw the physical result,” he said.
“I love getting out and helping get the power back on for people when something goes wrong. It’s a great feeling.
“I’ve had people come out and thank us for the work we are doing—people who offer cups of tea while we are working. That’s the country for you and that’s why I love what I do.”
De Freitas had always felt the pull of the electrical industry through his grandfather, Ken, who spent more than 20 years in the industry.
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“He was a big inspiration and one of the reasons why I went down this path,” he said.
“He passed away recently but I think he’d be proud that I won the award. I still can’t believe that I won it.”
