Media release: 23 September 2013

Carpentry apprentices set for national final

Nine of the country’s top carpentry apprentices are set for the biggest challenge of their careers yet, as they prepare for the Registered Master Builders Carters 2013 Apprentice of the Year national final on Friday, 11 October.

For the first time since the competition’s inception in 2005, the Apprentice of the Year practical judging component will be open to the public between 8am and 1pm and will take place in Auckland at The Cloud, Queens Wharf.

Each apprentice will be judged on their construction of a children’s playhouse, which will then be donated to one of nine Auckland-based charities on completion.

Registered Master Builders Chief Executive Warwick Quinn says he is looking forward to the new format of the competition, and seeing what the apprentices have to offer.

“We’re pleased to be able to offer the completed projects to charity. These nine apprentices will be putting their hearts and souls into finishing a playhouse that is fit for purpose and it will be made that little bit more special knowing they’re going to a good cause.

“As well as representatives from the charities, we encourage the public, friends and family to come down and support these nine young people who are proving themselves as our construction industry’s future leaders.”

The national competition takes place across two days. Each finalist will undertake a 45-minute interview with the judging panel on the Thursday, and will compete in the practical judging component on the Friday.

The winner of the Registered Master Builders Carters 2013 Apprentice of the Year will then be announced at an awards dinner at The Cloud, hosted by MC Paul Ego on Friday evening.

The winner will receive a $5,000 Carters Business Tools Grant towards furthering their career, high quality tools and products, an Apple iPad with a full set of compliance documents, and the use of a Ford Ranger XLT vehicle for the duration of their reign as the Apprentice of the Year. The winner’s employer will also receive an Apple iPad.

For more information about the competition, please visit www.apprenticeoftheyear.co.nz, or for up to date news, visit www.facebook.com/apprenticeoftheyear.  

The Apprentice of the Year competition is made possible thanks to principal sponsor Carters, the Registered Master Builders Federation, the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO), and supporting sponsor the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).

National Finalists: Registered Master Builders Carters 2013 Apprentice of the Year

Andrew Higgins from Nelson, employed by Dusty Builders Ltd and trained through NMIT

Ben Mitchell from Wellington, employed by Scotty’s Construction 2002 Ltd and trained through the BCITO

Eugene Sparnon from Kumeu, employed by Architectural Edge Ltd and trained through the BCITO

Jonathan Yorke from Palmerston North, employed by Arnott & Arnott and trained through the BCITO

Kate Ross from Herne Bay, employed by CG Low Building Ltd and trained through the BCITO

Mark Bell from Hamilton, employed by Lobell Construction and trained through the BCITO

Micheal Rochford from Christchurch, employed by DJ Hewitt Builders Ltd and trained through the BCITO

Peter O’Sullivan from Dunedin, employed by Lund Construction and trained through the BCITO

William Harkness from Havelock North, employed by Redmond Builders and Construction and trained through the BCITO

Charities to receive building projects

•          Choicekids Charitable Trust (ChoiceKidsCARES)

•          City Way Trust

•          Fountain of Knowledge Trust

•          Greenlane and National Women’s Hospital Creche Inc.

•          Kidz Social Services Charitable Trust

•          Motutapu Outdoor Education Trust

•          Wilson Home Trust

•          Grandparents Raising Grandchildren NZ

•          Anglican Trust for Women and Children

ENDS

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