Training Awards recognition for Tana and Jessica
For the second successive year, Woodside is represented in the WA Training Awards – this time, with two finalists in the Apprentice of the Year category.
Tana, Maintenance Instrumentation and Electrical Technician, and Jessica, Maintenance Mechanical Technician, both received the worthy recognition in a year that saw a record number of nominations. The WA Training Awards, managed by the State Government’s Department of Training and Workforce Development, recognise individuals and organisations making outstanding contributions to the state’s vocational training sector. In 2024, Woodsider Ellie Wotherspoon was WA Apprentice of the Year. Ellie is now a Maintenance Instrumentation and Electrical Technician working on the Scarborough Energy Project.
Tana and Jessie are two of only four finalists in the WA Apprentice of the Year 2025 category. Of the 43 finalists across all award categories, 21 finalists represent regional Western Australia. Tana and Jessie were both employed by labour hire and recruitment company Programmed and hosted at times by Woodside during their apprenticeship. They joined our company in February.
“I am so grateful to the Programmed staff and to my mentors at Woodside who supported me throughout my training,” Tana reports.
"It has been a life-changing experience and I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to work across Woodside's facilities."
Originally a site administrator, Tana made the bold decision to upskill through a dual-trade pathway, completing both a Certificate III in Engineering Tradesperson Electrical and a Certificate IV in Instrumentation. And being a mum of three meant it was no small feat.
“As a mum, completing the apprenticeship hasn’t come without its challenges but it has been worth every effort,” she declares. Now a fully qualified electrician, Tana feels “fortunate to work alongside Ellie and an amazing team on the Pluto Train 2 project”.
Brody, Supervisor Pluto Train 2, says the acknowledgement is thoroughly deserved. “I’m fortunate to have both Tana and Ellie on my Integration team, and this recognition is well deserved,” Brody says. “They’re at the forefront of the latest technologies shaping the future of oil and gas here at the North West Shelf.”
Jessie was living in Dampier until she moved to Perth for high school, so she was well aware of the oil and gas industry. She decided she wanted a trade, not a university education, and was fortunate her school enabled her to have work experience in several areas. She landed on boiler making, working on Royal Australian Navy ships at Henderson, south of Perth. She spent the fourth year of her apprenticeship on North Rankin Complex.
Currently, Jessie is a Maintenance Mechanical Technician on the North Rankin B platform.
“Everybody has been fantastic and I feel like I slotted in straight away,” she enthused. “The culture here is amazing. Everybody looks after each other as a family and is very helpful. I love working here.”
She enjoys the fly-in fly-out (FIFO) lifestyle, too. “Best roster ever,” she declares. “I don’t think I could ever not do FIFO!”
Superintendent North Rankin Complex Execution Brett says: “From the outset we recognised Jess as a high talent – so much so we offered her a full-time position with Woodside when she finished her apprenticeship.”
Brett continues: “Her standard of work is excellent along with being a high contributor to health and safety. She is now one of our Health and Safety Reps on the platform. “The whole team is thrilled with Jess’s nomination for Apprentice of the Year, and we wish her all the best.”
The award winners will be announced at a presentation ceremony on 5 September, with individual award recipients receiving a $3,000 cash prize and the opportunity to serve as ambassadors for vocational training across Western Australia.
Good luck, Tana and Jessica, from all of us at Woodside!
