A third-year electrical apprentice at Shoalhaven City Council, Kiara Foye has been named the USU’s 2026 Apprentice/Trainee of the Year.
Kiara’s journey at Shoalhaven Water began while she was still in Year 12, when she organised her own work experience during the school holidays. That early interest in the electrical trade soon turned into an apprenticeship — and she hasn’t looked back.
Now in her third year, Kiara is already taking on complex electrical work, from programming variable speed drives and fault-finding equipment to working with instrumentation and programmable logic controllers.
She has also played a significant role in installing and commissioning battery backup systems at sewer pump stations across the Shoalhaven, contributing to an innovative project that went on to win an award for Shoalhaven Water.
Her achievements have made a lasting impression on the experienced tradespeople working alongside her.
Glenn Hampel, who has more than 40 years’ experience in the electrical trade and training apprentices, said:
“Kiara stands out from them all.”
Her nominators praised not only her technical ability and eagerness to learn, but also her willingness to take on the toughest jobs — including voluntarily staying back on a Friday evening to help reconnect a motor at one of Shoalhaven’s most critical sewer pump stations.
She is also involved in the Women in Trades mentorship program, giving her own time to support other female apprentices entering the industry.
While still learning her trade, Kiara is already helping other women find their place in it.
One of her nominators, Senior Industrial Electrician Robert Finch, described her as “one of the best apprentices I have had.”
The USU congratulates Kiara on this outstanding achievement and looks forward to seeing where her career takes her next.
Kiara received $2,500 as part of the award, generously sponsored by Vision Super.
