Thursday 22 September

Top building apprentice in Waikato region announced

Hamilton apprentice Straun Anderson-Scott has been named the Waikato Region Registered Master Builders Carters 2011 Apprentice of the Year.

The 22 year old, employed by Lobell Construction Ltd and trained by the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation, impressed judges who say Straun clearly demonstrates the extra qualities required to be a leader with the building industry.

“We were genuinely impressed with Straun’s high work standard and health and safety knowledge, and he has excellent understanding of recent regulatory changes within the industry, in particular around treatment codes,” judges said.

“He showed his ability to read complex plans and documentation during the site visit,” they said.

Second place in the regional competition went to Ben Latham, 20, of Hamilton, employed by Stewart Hanna Ltd. Third place went to Simon Weal, 23, of Hamilton, employed by Livingstone.

As part of the entry process, each apprentice was asked to submit a project that they are most proud of. Straun presented judges with his work on Waikato Hospital’s Acute Services Building.

Straun’s employer, Managing Director Lue Shaw of Lobell Construction Ltd, says he has been impressed from day one by Straun’s enthusiasm for his work.

“He genuinely enjoys his work and is hungry to learn new skills and techniques. He has developed good hand skills and is accurate and neat in his work,” Mr Shaw says.

Lobell Construction Project Manager Bill Young says Straun has proved himself as reliable, honest, hard working and a valuable member of the team.

“Straun is maturing into a very sound young carpenter with enthusiasm to better himself and succeed to a higher level within the industry and his chosen career. He is a person who sets the bar high for himself and those around him,” Mr Young says.

Registered Master Builders Chief Executive Warwick Quinn says this year’s entrants are exactly the calibre of skilled professionals the building and construction sector needs to take it into the future.

“It is reassuring to see so many high quality young apprentices taking on the challenge of the Apprentice of the Year. Having folk like this prepared to step up and push themselves to be the best is good for our industry and showcases building as a great career option for others,” Mr Quinn says.

Brent Waldron, Chief Executive of principal sponsor Carters, says Carters was keen to continue its support for the Apprentice of the Year award this year.

“Carters is a business that exists for building industry trade customers and it is our desire to assist talented young people to make a career for themselves in our industry. We also recognise the commitment of the New Zealand builders who take these young people under their wing and help to train the builders of the future,” he says.

The awards evening, held at the Genesis Room, Waikato Rugby Stadium on Thursday 22 September, was well attended with guests including apprentices’ family, friends, colleagues and industry representatives.

Straun received a specially designed Outward Bound course valued at over $3,600, and either a study grant towards the completion of study or postgraduate study in any construction or business course valued up to $2,000, or $2,000 to spend at Carters towards increasing his toolkit for winning the regional competition. Straun also received a Makita 185mm Circular Saw, a Makita 14.4 volt Drill Driver and Department of Building and Housing merchandise.

Straun will now compete with the top carpentry apprentices from around the country at the national Apprentice of the Year finals in Wellington on October 29.

Apprentices, employers and those young people aspiring to be a part of the construction industry are encouraged to join up to the Facebook page www.facebook.com/apprenticeoftheyear.

ENDS

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