McDermott Aviation apprentice Dylan Martin has been named Apprentice of the Year at the 2026 Queensland Training Awards North Coast Regional Final, recognising his commitment and achievements as he builds a career in aircraft maintenance engineering.
Dylan received the award at the regional final in Maroochydore on 31 July and will now represent the North Coast at the Queensland Training Awards State Final in Brisbane in September.
The Queensland Training Awards celebrate the state's top apprentices, trainees, students, teachers, trainers, employers and training organisations. Dylan was recognised among the North Coast region's outstanding vocational education and training achievers.
McDermott Aviation Founder and President John McDermott said Dylan's award was an outstanding achievement that the entire McDermott team was proud to celebrate.
"Dylan has worked incredibly hard. He's committed to his trade, and he has a genuine passion for aviation. To see that recognised with Apprentice of the Year is a fantastic achievement, and we're all very proud of him," Mr McDermott said.
"Aircraft engineering is a highly skilled profession, and Dylan has a very promising career ahead of him. He's exactly the kind of young person we want to see coming through our industry."
Dylan is undertaking his apprenticeship with McDermott Aviation, gaining hands-on experience within the company's extensive in-house engineering and maintenance operations.
Mr McDermott said Dylan's success also highlighted the importance of continuing to develop the next generation of aviation engineers.
"There is strong demand for skilled aircraft engineers in Australia, and we need to continue encouraging young people to see aviation engineering as a rewarding, long-term career," Mr McDermott said.
"That's what makes achievements like Dylan's so important. He's not only doing exceptionally well in his own apprenticeship, he's a great example of the talent coming through our industry.
"We want to keep creating opportunities for young people to learn from experienced engineers, develop highly specialised skills and build careers that can take them anywhere in the world."
McDermott Aviation currently has 20 active apprentices across its operations, reflecting the company's ongoing commitment to developing skilled aviation professionals and creating career pathways for young people entering the industry.
Dylan will represent the North Coast at the 2026 Queensland Training Awards State Final in Brisbane in September.