Griffin Clapham, a proud Torres Strait Islander and Kalkadoon man, has made significant strides in the field of carpentry, earning recognition as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Trade Student of the Year at the 2025 TAFE Queensland Mount Isa Trade Excellence Awards. At just 27 years old, this dedicated father of two is completing his Certificate III in Carpentry through TAFE Queensland’s Mount Isa campus, demonstrating a strong commitment to both his trade and his family.
His recent accolade follows his achievement in 2024 as the Building and Industries Apprentice of the Year, solidifying his reputation as one of Mount Isa’s leading young tradespeople. Griffin credits his daughters, aged three and one, as his primary motivation for pursuing excellence in his career.
“When my first daughter was born, I knew I wanted more for her and for our family. That’s what pushed me to start my apprenticeship,” Griffin reflected. His daughters were present at the awards ceremony, with his youngest even running onto the stage during his acceptance speech. “It makes me proud that one day they’ll see the hard work I put in and know why I did it,” he added.
The recognition Griffin received at the Trade Excellence Awards has been both humbling and energizing. “Winning makes all the hard work feel worth it – not just the work on the job, but at TAFE Queensland too,” he remarked. Griffin discovered his passion for carpentry when he picked up a hammer for the first time, finding an innate connection to the craft. His ambition is to emulate the skilled tradespeople he admires, striving to be a role model for fellow apprentices.
Commitment to Growth and Learning
Through his apprenticeship with T.Real.Co., Griffin has gained diverse experience, working on projects that range from home maintenance to large-scale commercial renovations. This variety has helped him build practical skills and confidence across multiple aspects of the trade. His employer, Tim Real, has been impressed with Griffin’s dedication from day one.
“When I first interviewed Griffin, he told me that if I gave him a chance, he wouldn’t let me down – and he hasn’t,” Tim stated. He praised Griffin for his unwavering work ethic and eagerness to learn, describing such qualities as rare and inspiring. Tim, who also trained with TAFE Queensland, highlighted the importance of investing time in apprentices, stating, “Watching Griffin grow into the tradesman that he’s becoming has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career.”
Griffin aims to motivate other young people, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, to explore opportunities in trades. “Just try it. There are no silly questions, and you might just find something that you love doing, like I did,” he encouraged.
Looking ahead, Griffin remains focused on honing his skills, with aspirations of eventually running his own construction business. “For now, I just want to keep learning and improving. Down the track, I’d love to have my own construction business,” he expressed.
With two Trade Excellence Awards to his name and a promising career path ahead, Griffin Clapham serves as a testament to the power of dedication and hard work, proving to his daughters – and to himself – that commitment truly opens doors.
