Top building apprentice in the Wellington/Wairarapa region

Top building apprentice in the Wellington/Wairarapa region announced

Wellington carpentry apprentice Ben Mitchell has been named the Wellington/Wairarapa Region Registered Master Builders Carters 2013 Apprentice of the Year.

The 24 year old, employed by Scotty’s Construction 2002 Ltd in Wellington and trained through the BCITO, impressed judges with his extensive knowledge of the building industry and thorough understanding of his current project, which is a new residential home.

“Ben has a good eye for detail and already has a broad range of skills, although is very receptive to being taught new techniques,” they said. “We have no doubt that Ben will achieve great things in the industry, as he clearly has the ambition to succeed.”

Ben was awarded a range of prizes, including his choice of either a study grant to the value of $2,000 or $2,000 to spend at Carters and an Outward Bound Leadership Programme valued at over $3,600, as well as the coveted title of Wellington/Wairarapa Region Registered Master Builders Carters 2013 Apprentice of the Year.

Ben will now go on to compete against the eight other regional Apprentice of the Year winners at the national finals in Auckland where each apprentice will undertake a 45-minute interview with the national judging panel.

They will then compete in a practical carpentry challenge where each apprentice will be tasked with completing a small building project, which will be gifted to local charities on completion.

The practical challenge will take place at The Cloud in Auckland on Friday, 11 October and will be open to the public from 8am to 12pm.

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.

Second place in the Wellington/Wairarapa region was awarded to Christopher Schaw, 23, of Wellington, employed by Mackersey Construction Ltd and trained through BCITO, while third place went to Gavin Barr, 23, of Wellington, employed by M2 Building Ltd and trained through the BCITO.

Registered Master Builders Chief Executive Warwick Quinn says it is great to see a consistently high standard of apprentices putting themselves forward to determine how they measure up against their peers.

“Apprentice of the Year is a wonderful endeavour for recognising excellence in carpentry apprentices, and every year the talent that comes through is remarkable. Employers should also be recognised for supporting and encouraging the next generation of our building and construction industry.”

Paul Bull, Chief Executive of Carters, says the Apprentice of the Year competition supports Carters’ objective of encouraging and striving for high standards within the building and construction industry.

“The building industry is experiencing some good growth at the moment, and it is important that apprentices continue to demonstrate best practice to ensure the success of the sector,” says Mr Bull.

“At Carters we think it’s important to support initiatives that provide our customers with opportunities to up-skill and stay informed. Apprentice of the Year is one of those initiatives.”

The Wellington/Wairarapa Region Apprentice of the Year results were announced at an awards evening at The Boatshed in Wellington on Friday, 6 September.

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.

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).

ENDS

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