Joshua Toomey

Joshua Toomey overcame personal and educational challenges to excel as an apprentice in the electricity supply industry.

Despite being assessed as having low foundation skills, Joshua worked hard to show he had the determination and ability to succeed. When finally admitted to the Ausgrid pre-apprenticeship training program, he studied tirelessly to pass a selection test and was offered an apprenticeship almost immediately.

Joshua says, “Give yourself goals, seek out people who can help you get there and then work as hard as you can.”

Joshua was a key speaker at the annual TAFE New South Wales Gili Awards. His speech culminated in a standing ovation and was highly influential in securing the longer term future of the Ausgrid pre-apprenticeship program.

Since then, Joshua has been called on regularly as a public speaker and has been profiled in the New South Wales Department of Education and Training project Inspirational Indigenous Stories.