Automotive apprentice finalists prepare to compete

Automotive apprentice finalists prepare to compete

This Saturday, 18 September, the four finalists for MTA Apprentice of the Year 2010, will compete at WelTec Petone, Wellington. Each finalist will complete four practical tasks and a panel interview to determine the overall winner.

WelTec training staff will judge the practical part of the competition based on the technical knowledge contestants have learned through the course of their apprenticeships. The panel interview will be conducted by automotive industry insiders and will assess how well the apprentices communicate, and their knowledge of their trade.

The finalists were nominated by their employers, who were asked to comment on; how well their apprentice shows commitment to personal development, their goals (both personal and professional), their relationship with customers and staff, technical ability, how they take pride in what they do, and show maturity, leadership and initiative.

Each nominee completed a similar questionnaire, both of which were used by Motor Industry Training Organisation (MITO) and MTA to determine who the finalists would be.

The four finalists come from all over New Zealand. Corey Smith (Giltrap Motors Ltd, North Shore) was nominated for his dedication to personal development and on-going training. Richard Burnett (Hart Automotive Electrical, Auckland) is a volunteer fire fighter and says that this has taught him a lot about team work and self control. Craig Edney (Palmerston North City Council, Palmerston North) is fast becoming the ‘go to’ person in his workplace and outside of work is rebuilding a vintage Morris Oxford. Brock Johnston (Mt Aspiring Motors, Wanaka) completed his apprenticeship in two years and is now working toward two more automotive qualifications.

Each competitor brings different skills and experiences to the table and will be putting everything they have learned to the test as they compete for the grand prize; a trip to Surfers Paradise to work with Greg Murphy as part of the Castrol Racing Pit crew, $2,000 cash and a potential study grant from MITO.

Members of the public are welcome to come down and watch the competition. Each round will take around 45 minutes to complete.

For further information, including photos of the finals, visit http://www.mta.org.nz/tooloff

ENDS

© Scoop Media