NCIG is delighted to announce that Kate Schiffmann, Electrical Technician, has been honoured with the prestigious ‘2024 Woman in a Non-Traditional Trade Apprentice of the Year’ award at the NSW Training Services Awards. Kate’s journey at Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group shows excellence, commitment, and a profound passion for her craft over the past four years.
Reflecting on her achievements, Anthony Richards, Electrical Supervisor at NCIG, remarked, “Kate embodies the qualities that make her an outstanding candidate for the ‘2024 Woman in a Non-Traditional Trade Apprentice of the Year.’ Her technical proficiency, unwavering commitment to safety, proactive problem-solving, and continuous pursuit of excellence make her a shining example in the non-traditional trades sector.”
NCIG: A true focus on apprentice development
Kate’s professional journey with NCIG began in January 2020, when she joined as an Electrical Apprentice. Throughout her tenure, she has shown an exceptional work ethic, self-motivation, and a strong technical foundation. Her duties ranged from fault finding and troubleshooting electrical circuits to high-voltage isolations, electrical breakdowns, and diverse maintenance tasks. Importantly, Kate always prioritised safety, fostering a ‘Safety First‘ ethos within the organisation.
In recognition of her outstanding performance, Kate secured the role of Electrical Technician in November 2023. In this capacity, she continued to excel by actively engaging in a diverse array of tasks. These included attending breakdowns, Shiploader operations, SCADA operations, preventive and corrective maintenance, and project work. Her adaptability and ability to thrive under pressure shone through in her adept handling of various operational scenarios. This showcased her skills in decision-making, critical thinking, and effective communication with different teams.
As Mr Richards further highlighted, “Kate’s achievements underscore her invaluable contributions to NCIG. Her diligence was pivotal in identifying and promptly addressing a potential fire hazard related to overheating UPS batteries. Furthermore, Kate has actively collaborated on significant projects and demonstrated her versatility and dedication.”
In addition to her hands-on experience, Kate has pursued ongoing training and qualifications. She earned certifications in electrotechnology, high voltage operation, confined space, working at heights, and various other essential skills. NCIG focuses on providing team members with development and training opportunities to support their personal and professional growth.
NCIG congratulates Kate on this well-deserved accolade, confident that her achievements will inspire and empower future generations of women in non-traditional trades.
