Tyler Wallrodt, man of steel at Koster’s, wins apprentice of the year at ACCI’s Great Southern Business Awards

Tyler Wallrodt may be only 17 but he is already a seasoned champion. He is a crack windsurfer and he kicked the winning goal in the 2025 colts footy grand final, but he was still stunned to be named trainee or apprentice of the year at the Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Great Southern Business Awards. He did not expect to win so he did not have a speech tucked away in his jacket pocket as he climbed to the podium on awards night earlier this month. Instead, he had a bag of sweets. “It came as a shock,” the 17-year-old said. “It was a good shock, but it was weird because I had to get up there and say a speech. “The lollies were not going to help.” He is already finishing the second year of his four-year apprenticeship in metal fabrication with Koster’s Steel Construction. His father Brett works there but Tyler has impressed with his hard work and attention to detail. Owner John Koster said the apprentice deserved his award, which was presented at Retravision Stadium on November 1. “He joined Koster’s in 2024, like many teenagers just itching to start on his career journey, and earn some money,” he said. “He impressed during his work experience placements with his positive attitude and motivation to learn so he was offered an apprenticeship. “His strong work ethic, exceptional problem-solving abilities and capacity to work to high standards, far in advance of his level, are noteworthy. “Tyler has truly become an essential member of the Koster’s Steel team, we are extremely proud of him and incredibly positive about the future with him on board.” The young award winner said he had been keen to leave school, and doing so would not be a decision he would regret. “I enjoy working with my dad and I wouldn’t change that,” he said. “It makes it easy to go and talk to someone about work — it means I’m not shy to ask questions or worry about looking silly. “He was good about me leaving school; I’m not so sure about my mum but I think the outcome has been the best it could be.” Dealing with people at work has been a game-changer too. “Everyone is pretty much the same age at school where now I deal with people of all ages, it’s a completely different environment,” Tyler said. “I’ve learnt a lot about work, but I’ve also learnt a lot of life skills that they can’t teach in school.” Sport is another key part of his life, playing football for Railways and also being the second-ranked under-18 boys wave sailer in the world. Wave sailing is windsurfing in waves, and he will be heading to Geraldton for the world championships in January next year. It has been a busy 12 months for the teenage apprentice and he is looking forward to the challenges ahead. “It has been a very good year for me, and none of it was on my 2025 bingo list,” he said. “I kicked a winning goal (in the colts grand final), two months later I was apprentice of the year and now I’d like to top it off with the under-18 windsurfing world title.”