Lochlan Brady Named 2026 John Andrew Apprentice of the Year

Ruswin is proud to congratulate Lochlan Brady on being named the 2026 John Andrew Apprentice of the Year, recognising an outstanding achievement in his locksmithing career and continuing a proud history of apprentice development at Ruswin.

The John Andrew Apprentice of the Year Competition (JAAOTY) recognises high-achieving locksmithing apprentices from across Australia and New Zealand, providing finalists with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in a practical testing environment.

For the 2026 competition, Ruswin’s Lochlan Brady was named Apprentice of the Year, an achievement that reflects the skill, commitment and professionalism he has demonstrated throughout his apprenticeship.

Putting locksmithing skills to the test:

The John Andrew Apprentice of the Year Competition is designed to test a broad range of practical locksmithing skills.

Competitors are challenged across areas including picking and impressioning, lock fitting, electronic safe lock installation and programming, automotive key production and programming, and masterkeying.

Finalists participate in two days of hands-on testing in Melbourne before the winner is recognised as part of the annual MLAA Conference and Awards.

For Lochlan, being named the 2026 winner represents an important milestone and recognition of the skills he has developed throughout his apprenticeship.

An opportunity to take his skills overseas

As the 2026 John Andrew Apprentice of the Year, Lochlan and his mentor will receive a fully funded trip to Europe, including visits to the Silca factory in Italy and the ABUS factory in Germany.

The experience will provide an opportunity to see two leading international manufacturers firsthand and gain further exposure to the locksmithing industry beyond Australia.

Continuing a proud history at Ruswin

Lochlan’s achievement continues a proud history for Ruswin in the John Andrew Apprentice of the Year Competition.

With previous wins in 2011 and 2015, Lochlan’s success in 2026 marks the third time a Ruswin apprentice has received this prestigious award.

Based on the published list of past winners, Ruswin has achieved more individual John Andrew Apprentice of the Year wins than any other employer listed — a milestone we are incredibly proud of.

Beyond the awards themselves, this recognition reflects Ruswin’s ongoing commitment to developing the next generation of skilled locksmiths.

Through a combination of formal training, hands-on experience and mentorship from experienced tradespeople, our apprentices gain the knowledge, confidence and practical skills needed to succeed in the industry.

We are proud to continue investing in our apprentices, supporting their development and ensuring valuable skills and industry knowledge are passed on to future generations.

Celebrating achievement and the future of locksmithing

Being named the 2026 John Andrew Apprentice of the Year is an outstanding achievement, and everyone at Ruswin congratulates Lochlan on this well-deserved recognition.

We also acknowledge the mentors, tradespeople and team members who have supported Lochlan throughout his apprenticeship and contributed to his development along the way.

Ruswin would also like to congratulate the runners-up and all finalists who participated in this year's competition. Throughout the practical testing and at the MLAA Gala Dinner, it was wonderful to see the friendships formed, the encouragement shared and the genuine enthusiasm shown for one another's achievements. It was a great reflection of the people and community behind the locksmithing industry.

Our thanks also go to MLAA, LSC, ABUS and Silca for their involvement in organising and supporting an event that celebrates the skills, dedication and hard work of emerging locksmithing professionals.

We look forward to seeing Lochlan continue to grow and develop his skills within Ruswin and are excited to see what he achieves in the years ahead.

Congratulations, Lochlan!