What’s Happening?
Rockhampton apprentice locksmith Lochlan Brady has claimed the 2026 John Andrew Apprentice of the Year title, following his earlier selection as a finalist.
Brady, from Ruswin Integrated Security Systems, received the award at the Master Locksmiths Association of Australasia’s Gala Dinner and Awards Night on 3 October.
His victory followed a challenging competition in Melbourne, where apprentices demonstrated their technical knowledge and practical locksmithing skills.
Why It Matters
The recognition marks a major career milestone for Brady, whose dedication to his trade has now earned him Australasian recognition.
Reflecting on the announcement, he admitted the achievement still felt difficult to believe after years of training and preparation.
“It felt very surreal and still does, after 4 years of effort and training for it to have been rewarded with recognition that I have done well as an apprentice locksmith.”
His success also comes with an opportunity to gain international experience, allowing him to develop his knowledge beyond Australia.
Local Impact
For Rockhampton, Brady’s achievement highlights the talent emerging from local apprenticeships and the value of practical training in regional Queensland.
His workplace, Ruswin Integrated Security Systems, has also played a part in his development through training and mentorship. Although the recognition is significant, Brady sees it as an early milestone rather than the peak of his career.
“I hope it’s just the beginning for my career, I’ve only just started to learn my trade. I’ll continue to push myself to keep learning different parts of the trade from others and from myself.”
By The Numbers
The annual competition brought together promising apprentices for a series of technical assessments designed to test their abilities across the trade.
- 13 locksmith apprentices from Australia and New Zealand competed for the 2026 John Andrew Apprentice of the Year title.
- Two days of competition, held on 29 and 30 September in Melbourne, tested participants’ precision, technical knowledge and problem-solving abilities.
- Three finalists were recognised, with Brady taking the top honour alongside fellow finalists Ethan Goesch and Jonah McCormack.
Zoom In
The competition involved several locksmithing challenges, ranging from master keying and safe diagnostics to lock fitting, picking and impressioning.
Participants also tackled automotive key generation and transponder programming, demonstrating their abilities across mechanical and electronic security systems.
Together, these assessments required apprentices to apply different techniques while maintaining accuracy and solving practical problems.
Zoom Out
The John Andrew Apprentice of the Year competition is an annual initiative of the Master Locksmiths Association of Australasia.
It provides a platform for apprentices to demonstrate their abilities while recognising the skills needed across the wider locksmithing profession.
Beyond the competition itself, the program connects emerging tradespeople with industry professionals and provides opportunities for further career development.
What To Look For Next?
Brady will travel to Germany and Italy in 2027 with his mentor from Ruswin Rockhampton, visiting two international security manufacturers.
“I’ll be off to Germany and Italy next year with my mentor from Ruswin Rockhampton, to see the factories for Abus and Silca.”
The factory visits will allow him to see international manufacturing practices firsthand and gain knowledge he can apply throughout his career.
With his apprenticeship achievements now recognised, Brady hopes to continue learning different aspects of the trade while building his future in Rockhampton.
