He thought he was chatting trades with a friend of his boss, Dale Redfern, he was actually talking to Minister for Skills John Barilaro.

The NSW Deputy Premier had come all the way to Forbes to award Jake a Bert Evans Scholarship worth $15,000.

Mr Barilaro surprised Mr Hemming at work, with B and D Redfern, with an ‘Undercover Boss’ style meeting complete with hidden cameras.

Mr Hemming said that he had no idea that he would be awarded the scholarship by Mr Barilaro.

“I didn’t think he would actually come all the way out here,” Mr Hemming said.

The Bert Evans Scholarships were launched in 2014 and are awarded to 50 apprentices around NSW who have demonstrated a commitment to their training despite hardships.

“The Bert Evans Scholarships help apprentices who have significant personal challenges but demonstrate a high aptitude for vocational education and training, and a positive attitude in the workplace and off-the-job training,” Mr Barilaro said.

“We want to make sure these apprentices, who have shown such enthusiasm and positivity in the face of hardship, to have the support they need to complete their training,” he told Fairfax Media.

Living out of home, Mr Hemming was a first year apprentice carpenter when he was awarded the scholarship.

Mr Hemming said the scholarship would support him in his career endeavors.

“Furthering my training in other courses or just getting those little things like tools and stuff you need just to further your experience,” he explained.

Bert Evans was an apprenticeship ambassador and was an advocate for vocational training for more than 30 years.

Scholarships are available to registered apprentices in NSW, those working in a skill shortage category or a female apprentice in a non-traditional trade.

For full criteria head to https://www.training.nsw.gov.au/