Morrinsville business scoops apprentice awards
Morrinsville Plumbing & Gas Services scored a hat trick of apprentice awards at the 2017 Waikato Master Plumbers Awards, held at Hamilton’s
Wintec Atrium on Friday 15 September.
Jarrod Spearpoint won Year 1, Kaleb Reeve Year 2 and Mike Judd Year 3. All three are completing their apprenticeships
through the Masterlink apprentice training scheme.
Morrinsville Plumbing & Gas Services Managing Director Dave Strong says Jarrod Spearpoint’s keenness to learn makes him a stand out apprentice.
He has improved in leaps and bounds to become a valued member of the team, says Dave.
Kaleb Reeve was chosen by his Wintec tutors to enter the regional World Skills NZ competition. He went on to represent
Waikato in the national competition, which highlights on-the-job excellence by testing key skills.
Dave is rightly proud of Kaleb’s achievements, saying he’s a conscientious worker who always gives his best. "Kaleb has
the ‘X Factor’, which will make him an outstanding plumber and gasfitter."
Mike Judd always aims for excellence, and Dave sees him becoming a business owner in his own right one day. Mike came to
plumbing as an adult apprentice having decided to change careers - and he thanks his wife for encouraging him to enter
the trade.
He was also nominated for the Wintec Apprentice of the Year Award and went on to win the 2017 Best All Round Masterlink
Apprentice award.
Dave puts the success of his apprentices down to setting very clear expectations and challenging them to work things out
for themselves.
He admits he expects a lot of them - sometimes pushing them outside their comfort zones - but excellent support is
always at hand.
As Deputy Chairman on the Board of Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ, Dave Strong says it is great to see the Waikato Association running its own awards ceremony to
recognise the achievements of local plumbing companies, their staff and apprentices.
ENDS