Dylan Rethus nominated for Victorian Apprentice of the Year

The young carpenter has been nominated for Victoria's Regional Apprentice of the Year award, following his win as the Apprentice of the Year for the Ballarat region in March.

Mr Rethus said he was surprised but grateful, to be in the running.

"It's a bit of a shock I suppose - I'm probably not one to boast about stuff like that or talk myself up or anything, but it's great to be recognised," he said.

"It's a bit funny because of the COVID stuff - I think there's usually a night for it at Etihad Stadium with a fairly big show, so it's a shame that can't go ahead.

"But I'm pretty happy - it's good exposure for Hoges' business and Skillinvest as well."

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Mr Rethus underwent a lengthy interview process with judges to be nominated for the award.

He said it was possibly the variability of his work that put him in contention. As one of just a few carpenters with DJ Hogan Builders, Mr Rethus completes a wide variety of tasks in his day-to-day work.

"We're not just doing the frame stage of a house, or other bits and pieces, we pretty much do the whole thing start to finish," he said.

"Even today, I was doing the renovation and hanging plaster. So it's not just textbook stuff, we do everything.

"It's obviously a bit of luck of the draw - but I think that might be what interests them a lot.

"It's not the repetition of a Melbourne business that just goes in there and hangs windows all day or something."

Dean Hogan from DJ Hogan Builders said he had been impressed with Mr Rethus and was proud to see him recognised.

"Dylan has a great work ethic and has shown great skill as he learns the trade, which is exactly what you want as a boss," Mr Hogan said.

"He's a deserving winner of the regional award and it's a feather in his cap and for our company to be representing the Ballarat region in the State Awards."

Mr Rethus said winning the award could open up more opportunities for him in the future.

"It's a hard one to answer - I think it might be good for me down the track I suppose, if I want to go out into a different field and into a different line of work later on," he said.

"People could look pretty fondly at it.

"It might be a big confidence booster for me as well."

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