Wellington Carpentry Apprentice of the Year

2 September 2004

First Wellington Carpentry Apprentice of the Year announced

Twenty-three-year-old Michael Pearce of Berhampore has won the inaugural Wellington Registered Master Builders, Apprentice of the Year title, in association with Carters.

He was presented with his award by the Hon Steve Maharey, Associate Minister of Education (Tertiary Education), Martin Goulden the President of the Wellington Registered Master Builders Association and Glen Jarvie of Carters, in Wellington last night.

The Apprentice of the Year awards are the first of their kind in New Zealand and are a celebration of the attributes that make a good apprentice 'great.' The awards aim to nurture young carpenters and grow apprentice numbers in the building industry by recognising excellence.

Pearce, a carpentry apprentice for NK Henderson Builders in Stokes Valley, is delighted to win the prestigious competition.

The four industry leaders who judged the awards said about him: "Michael Pearce has an extremely strong work ethic and is well respected by all his workmates. He is the best apprentice ever to have worked at NK Henderson, one of the largest trainers of apprentices in Wellington."

Martin Goulden, President of the Wellington Registered Master Builders Association says the Association has a strong commitment to industry training as demonstrated by their "Apprentice Days Out" and the Apprentice of the Year awards build on this concept.

"The construction industry is an excellent career choice and we believe rewarding successful apprentices is a great way to nurture and grow the future of the sector. These awards provide an incentive for trainees and demonstrate the kind of personal and trade skills we are looking for in our young people coming through."

The award was presented by the Hon Steve Maharey, Associate Minister of Education (Tertiary Education) who reinforced the importance of education and training.

"The continued success of apprenticeship schemes works to further strengthen the perception of the trades and ensure that young people who have a real interest in them are prepared for the workplace," commented Hon Steve Maharey.

Glen Jarvie, Regional Manager from principal sponsor Carters agrees.

"Apprentices are the key to the construction sector's future. Carters is committed to supporting young trades people gain the right skills and experience, and recognising those who are successful in their trade and in business. We are proud to support the Wellington Registered Master Builders Apprentice of the Year awards."

Michael Pearce receives an Outward Bound Leadership course and a study grant of $2,500 as his prize for winning.

Second place in the competition went to Blair Forsyth of Upper Hutt while Paul Davis of Eastbourne was third. Both received gift vouchers from Carters.

The Wellington Registered Master Builders 2004 Apprentice of the Year is supported by principal sponsor Carters, the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) and the Wellington Institute of Technology (WELTEC).

ENDS

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