100 carpentry apprentices ready to contend

3 July 2013

100 carpentry apprentices ready to contend

Entries for the Registered Master Builders Carters 2013 Apprentice of the Year competition have closed, with 100 apprentices from all over New Zealand ready to contend for the title and a share of more than $100,000 worth of prizes.

Regional judging kicks off this month, with judging panels reviewing all written entries and interviewing all entrants. Up to ten finalists in each of the nine regions will then be selected to compete for the top spot in their region.

Apprentice of the Year entry numbers have increased from 96 entrants in 2012 to 100 this year, at the same time as the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) has seen a 22 per cent increase in apprenticeship sign ups.

BCITO chief executive Ruma Karaitiana says the building industry is thriving, and Apprentice of the Year is a great opportunity for up and coming apprentices who want to stand out from their peers and make their mark on the industry.

“It’s an incredibly exciting time to be a part of the building and construction industry, and apprentices who go the extra mile are really appreciated when it comes to progressing through their career. Apprentice of the Year is one way for apprentices to prove their value to employers and others in the business.”

RMBF chief executive Warwick Quinn says Apprentice of the Year is a fantastic endeavour for recognising excellence in carpentry apprentices.

“The competition is such a good opportunity for us to celebrate our industry and everyone who contributes to it. We are very much looking forward to seeing what talent comes forward at this year’s Apprentice of the Year.”

Each regional winner will score themselves a $2,000 study grant or $2,000 worth of products from Carters, along with a place at a specially designed Outward Bound course and a range of products and tools.

Winners from each region will also win travel and accommodation to the Apprentice of the Year national competition in Auckland in October, and the Registered Master Builders 2013 House of the Year National Awards Gala Dinner.

The first local Apprentice of the Year awards event will take place on Friday, 23 August in the East Coast.

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

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).

Regional event dates

Bay of Plenty/East Coast – Gisborne, Friday 23 August
Central South Island – Christchurch, Wednesday 28 August
Auckland and Northern – Takapuna, Auckland, Wednesday 4 September
Waikato – Hamilton, Thursday 5 September
Upper South Island – Nelson, Thursday 5 September
Central North Island – Palmerston North, Friday 6 September
Wellington and Wairarapa – Wellington, Friday 6 September
Southern – Dunedin, Friday 13 September

ENDS

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