Furniture Trainee of the Year finalists announced

Media release

4 August 2010

2010 FITEC Furniture Trainee of the Year finalists announced

Finalists for the 2010 FITEC Furniture Trainee of the Year have been announced. The finalists are part of the National Training Awards, run by FITEC, the forest and wood industry training organisation.

 The three young finalists in this category of the 2010 FITEC National Training Awards are Eden Simpson from Natural Timber Creations in Kerikeri, Jonathon Shaw of Ken Wills Ltd in Timaru and Rowan Dicks of Avant Garde in Palmerston North.

18-year old Eden, a finalist in last year’s competition, handcrafted a computer desk using an interesting variety of New Zealand wood (Totara, Blackwood and Rimu). The desk is functional but also elegant and features a hidden computer box, an electronic screen lifter, hidden keyboard tray and discreet security locks, making it look like a normal desk at first glance.

19-year old Jonathon Shaw created a hexagonal coffee table from heart recycled rimu for his lounge. Heartwood is cut from the centre of the log and its quality has allowed it to be polished and finished to a very high standard. By making a prototype, he has successfully overcome the technical challenges created by the complexity of angles.

Rowan Dicks (24 years) made an elegant, simple and stylish macrocarpa computer desk for his mother to replace her formica “warehouse job”. He chose a mix of black, walnut red, and orange silk lacquers to enhance the grain and strong colour. The desk’s architecture and discreet curves give it character and style.
 
The award entries are on display in the Danske Mobler showroom in Mt Eden (983 Mt Eden Road, Auckland) until the end of August.

“These unique pieces of furniture reflect great skill, clever design and creative use of timber,” says Ian Boyd Chief Executive of FITEC, “The designs show the innovation and flair of the next generation of designers coming through.”

Ian Boyd says the awards play a crucial role in recognising individual and company achievements in the economically important forestry industry.

“Every year, we see amazing stories of personal and team achievement, in an industry where education is absolutely crucial,” he said. “And the awards help to highlight how companies that really commit to training their staff, reap the economic rewards for years to come.

Winners of the FITEC National Training Awards will be announced at a gala dinner and awards ceremony, to be held at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre on September 9.

Awards are given in 10 categories. The categories and their prizes are:

Modern Apprentice of the Year (Forestry) – finalists $250, winner $1000
Modern Apprentice of the Year (Wood Manufacturing) – finalists $250, winner $1000
Trainee of the Year (Forestry) – finalists $250, winner $1000
Trainee of the Year (Wood Manufacturing) – finalists $250, winner $1000
Trainee of the Year (furniture piece entry) – finalists $500,  winner $1000
Training Company of the Year (Forestry) – $1000 in FITEC training
Training Company of the Year (Wood Manufacturing) – $1000 in FITEC training
Training Company of the Year (Furniture) - $1000 in FITEC training
Outstanding Business Performance through People Development – $1000 in FITEC training
FITEC Training Leader of the Year – $1000 travel voucher.
 
Mr Boyd says the forestry and wood manufacturing sector is New Zealand’s third largest primary industry export earner and therefore education and training within the sector is essential. It has been shown to lead directly to productivity improvements and other advantages.

“FITEC believes that investing in training is one of the most important strategies an individual or company can have and these awards are the one opportunity to celebrate the results of that investment.”

Ends

© Scoop Media