Winners announced in carpentry apprentice comp

Media Release
23 October

Winners announced in national carpentry apprentice competition

Dunedin carpentry apprentice Joe Dobson has taken out the top award in the Registered Master Builders 2008 Apprentice of the Year competition, in association with Carters.

Joe, 22, beat nine other top apprentices from around the country for the title and was presented with his award at a ceremony in Wellington last night. Tauranga apprentice Shane Swan, 25, was second and 23-year-old Blenheim apprentice Roger Townley took out third place.

Joe, who is employed by Warren Baker Ltd but is currently working on secondment with Stewart Construction, is passionate about building and has excellent communications skills, according to national judging panel member Paul Mitchell.

Mr Mitchell, who is from the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO), says Joe is a dedicated tradesperson who takes a professional approach to all his working relationships, whether with clients, sub-contractors or his teammates.

“One of the things that impressed the judges most was Joe’s ‘get stuck in’ approach and his belief that it is up to the apprentice to take responsibility for their learning,” Mr Mitchell says.

“He’s a calm and confident builder, with a great future ahead of him. Joe is an asset to his employer and to the industry.”

The Minister for Building and Construction, Hon Shane Jones, says he is thrilled that the competition received record entry numbers this year, reflecting the enthusiasm of apprentices for the industry.

“It’s great to see such a motivated and bright bunch of young people entering the building and construction industry and to recognise their success. The future of the sector is in safe hands.”

The winners were announced at an event in Wellington last night attended by more than 100 people, including the Minister for Building and Construction, Hon Shane Jones, apprentices and their families, and key representatives of the building and construction industry.

Earlier in the day, the finalists attended a morning tea at Parliament hosted by Hon Shane Jones, and also visited the BRANZ testing centre at Judgeford.

The Apprentice of the Year is backed by principal sponsor Carters and supporting sponsors the BCITO, Registered Master Builders Federation (RMBF) and the Department of Building and Housing.

“Carters congratulates all winners and national finalists, and is proud to support our future industry leaders through this competition,” says Carters national operations manager Andrew Cochrane.

Now in its fifth year, the Apprentice of the Year competition has undergone significant growth since its inception in 2004, with this year’s competition attracting a record 135 entries in 10 regions throughout the country.

ENDS

Notes to editor:
The Apprentice of the Year competition is a joint initiative by Carters, the Registered Master Builders Federation, the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) and the Department of Building and Housing (DBH). It aims to recognise excellence among carpentry apprentices and raise awareness of the career opportunities in the building and construction industry.
The Apprentice of the Year competition has been run in 10 regions this year: Northern, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, East Coast, Central North Island, Wellington, Upper South Island, Central South Island and Southern. The winners of each regional competition qualified for the national competition final.

The national winner received a prize package which includes:
• A trip for two to an Australian trade show and associated travel package valued at $3,000
• Stanley hand tools to the value of $1,000
• A full set of compliance documents and associated material from DBH
• Carters Development Grant to the value of $5,000
• Trophy and title of 2008 Carpentry Apprentice of the Year

The second placegetter received a prize pack which includes:
• Hitachi and Irwin tool package valued at $3,000

The third placegetter _received a prize pack which includes:
• Wholesafe Health and Safety Gear to the value of $1,000

All national finalists received a prize pack which includes:

• Carters sports bag filled with accessories and building products from Carters, BCITO, RMBF and DBH
• A copy of NZS 3604 from Standards New Zealand

All entrants in the Apprentice of the Year competition also received an apprenticeship membership to the Registered Master Builders Federation for one year.

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