Best carpentry apprentice can nail top prizes
MEDIA RELEASE
13 May
Country’s best carpentry apprentice can nail top prize
New Zealand’s best carpentry apprentice stands to win over $12,000 in prizes in the Registered Master Builders 2009 Apprentice of the Year, in association with Carters.
Entries are now open for the 2009 competition, which is divided into 10 regional competitions before a national final is held in Wellington in October.
With support from principal sponsor Carters, along with the Registered Master Builders Federation (RMBF), the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO), and the Department of Building and Housing (DBH), the competition recognises and celebrates excellence among young carpentry apprentices. The Apprentice of the Year competition also promotes building and construction career opportunities and raises awareness of the benefits for employers who take on apprentices.
The Minister for Building and Construction, Maurice Williamson, says the competition is a fine example of industry leaders proactively encouraging young New Zealanders to succeed in the building and construction sector.
“The Apprentice of the Year primarily recognises the effort and determination of the next generation of skilled professionals, but also acknowledges the guidance and mentoring shown by employers in the industry. I strongly encourage apprentices to enter,” Mr Williamson says.
The Apprentice of the Year is now in its third year as a national competition, and its sixth year as a regional contest. In 2008 the competition attracted 135 entries from around the country.
Principal sponsor Carters’Chief Executive, Stuart Munro, believes the competition – by promoting excellence in the industry – ensures that the future generation of builders are striving to be the best.
“Not only does the competition showcase the quality of apprentices, it also enables them to meet industry leaders and other like-minded young builders,” says Mr Munro.
Joe Dobson, last year’s National Apprentice of the Year, says winning the competition has “definitely opened up a few more doors”and has reaffirmed why he entered the industry in the first place.
“It’s inspired me and reminded me why I do what I do. I want to keep working to a high standard – I just really, really want to build!” says Joe.
The winner of the Apprentice of the Year title in 2009 will receive a trip for two to a trade show and associated travel package (to the value of $3,000) and a Carters Future Development Grant (to the value of $5,000), plus their regional winner prize package.
All 10 regional winners competing for the national title will receive a specialist Outward Bound Leadership Programme tailored for apprentices and their choice of a grant towards completion of study in any construction or building course, or a Carters voucher for a substantial purchase, valued at up to $4,600.
Entries for the 2009 Apprentice of the Year are open until 31 July. For further information, or to download an entry form, go to www.masterbuilder.org.nz, www.bcito.org.nz or www.carters.co.nz. Entry forms can also be collected from Carters stores nationwide.
ENDS
The Apprentice of the Year competition is being 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 qualify for the national competition final.
The 2009 national winner will receive
a prize package which includes:
• Trophy and title of
2009 Carpentry Apprentice of the Year
• A Carters
Development Grant to the value of $5,000
• A trip for
two to a trade show and associated travel package valued at
$3,000
All Regional winners will receive a prize pack
which includes:
• Participation in a specialist
Outward Bound Leadership Programme tailored for Apprentice
of the Year winners (value up to $2,600 plus travel)
•
A study grant towards completion of study in any
construction or business course (value up to $2,000) or a
Carters voucher for a substantial purchase, i.e. major tool
(value up to $1,500)
Regional place-getters will receive a
prize pack, which includes:
• Prize packs from Carters
including tools and products from Makita, Stanley, Wholesafe
and Irwin Industrial Tools, branded merchandise from the
BCITO and material from the Department of Building and
Housing
All entrants in the Apprentice of the Year competition also receive an apprenticeship membership to the Registered Master Builders Federation for one year.
The winner of each regional competition and up to three guests will be brought to Wellington in October to take part in the national competition. The winner of the National Apprentice of the Year title will be announced at an awards evening following national judging.