MCKENZIE THOMPSON

BAROSSA resident Josh Booth-Naylor has been named the Civil Contractors Federation (CCF) ‘Trainee of the Year’ in the Civil Construction-Plant Operations Certificate III category.

The 23-year-old, who was recognised at a gala night at the Adelaide Convention Centre last month, is two months away from completing a three-year apprenticeship with Craig Fenton Contracting.

The CCF is the peak body representing Australia’s civil construction industry, and has branches in all states and territories and around 2000 contractor and associate members nationally.

Mr Booth-Naylor said he was “humbled and honoured to have won the award”.

“It was a massive surprise to me when my trainer from Civil Train of the CCF even nominated me,” he said.

“It’s great to be recognised for working hard.

“I really enjoyed learning new things and skills.

“Now, I just can’t wait to achieve more.”

Mr Booth-Naylor, who lives in Vine Vale, said civil construction is a broad field, which “deals with the creation of infrastructure involving works to do with water, earth or transport”.

“Projects I have been involved in include concrete and bitumen preparation, pipe laying, constructing sewage and drainage systems, road construction and maintenance, demolition, digging foundations, compacting and excavating, measuring and levelling,” he said.

Mr Booth-Naylor will become a qualified civil plant operator upon the completion of his apprenticeship.