As the industry prepares to gather on the Gold Coast for SuperExpo, there is plenty of excitement around new product launches, machinery innovations, and market trends. But at Ricky, one of the milestones we are most eager to celebrate has nothing to do with fabric rolls or print media technology.
It’s about the people who will shape the next few decades of our trade.
For the past eight years, Ricky has been the proud official sponsor of the Specialised Textiles Association (STA) Apprentice of the Year Award. Ahead of this year’s presentation, our director, Ron Gottlieb, shared a vital reminder on why investing in young talent is an operational necessity for every business in our sector.
The Backbone of Australian Manufacturing
“Apprentices and young people are the lifeblood of all the industries we are involved in,” Ron notes. From industrial fabrication and sun control installation to advanced print production, the skills required to keep our sector moving forward cannot be learned purely from a textbook. They require hands-on mentorship, patience, and real-world execution.
Australian manufacturing is globally recognised for its precision, high standards, and engineering excellence. However, that reputation can only be sustained if we actively pass the torch down to the next generation. By backing the Apprentice of the Year initiative, our goal is to shine a bright spotlight on the incredible vocational pathways available in our trade.
A Challenge to Our Industry Peers
If your business hasn’t put forward an apprentice for consideration in the past, we strongly urge you to reconsider.
Taking the time to promote and enter your young team members into the STA awards formally recognises their dedication, demonstrates that a career in textiles is fulfilling, respected, and highly worthwhile and celebrating them will do wonders for their growth.
See You at SuperExpo!
When we support our youth, the entire industry moves forward together. We are incredibly grateful to be a part of an award structure that honours the hard work happening on workshop floors all across Australia.
We look forward to seeing many of you on the Gold Coast in a couple of weeks to network, catch up, and raise a glass to the standard of excellence set by this year’s incredible line-up of apprentices.
