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- Accidental bricklayer wins award and urges locals to get on the tools
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Media release
TAFE NSW Newcastle | 23 November 2025
Accidental bricklayer wins award and urges locals to get on the tools
“I couldn’t believe I’d won it and it just made me feel so recognised.”
Bailey Govett, TAFE NSW bricklaying student
A Dora Creek man who stumbled into a career as a bricklayer has just landed a major industry award, and is using his platform to urge young Hunter locals to consider a career ‘on the tools’.
Bailey Govett, 22, was this month crowned Apprentice of the Year at the Bricklayer Contractors Australia Annual Awards at the Canada Bay Club.
A third-year apprentice with Crouch Bricklaying who studies at TAFE NSW Newcastle, Mr Govett had dreams of becoming a carpenter but fell into bricklaying after deciding his first career choice, carpentry, wasn’t for him.
What began as chance decision has become a rewarding career for Mr Govett, who is encouraging young locals to consider a career in the trades and help address a crippling local trades skills shortage.
“The construction industry will always be around and there’s such a shortage of skills tradespeople here right now,” he said. “If you’re a hands-on person who’s not really into books and studying, a trades career is a great option that could set you up for life. It’s a job that keeps you physically fit and you get to see the fruits of your labour after each day’s work.”
The National Bricklaying Apprenticeship Status Report revealed bricklaying apprenticeships would need to double to meet current demand, so pronounced is the industry skills shortage.
Mr Govett said this month’s award had further fuelled his confidence to build a career in the trade.
“I couldn’t believe I’d won it and it just made me feel so recognised,” he said. “My Certificate III in Bricklaying at TAFE NSW will open up other avenues for me, including potentially working as a building supervisor or in project management.
“I’d also like to open my own bricklaying business one day.”
He said his TAFE NSW training had provided a safe and supportive space for him to learn the practical skills and theory of bricklaying.
“The TAFE NSW classroom is more forgiving if you make a mistake than if you’re working on-site,” Mr Govett said. “My teacher is so experienced in the industry and has become a real mentor.”
TAFE NSW Newcastle Head Teacher of Bricklaying David Lange-Smith congratulated Mr Govett on the award and joined him in urging young people to consider a rewarding career as a bricklayer.
Media contact: Dan Johns, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, 02 7920 5000.
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