Top building apprentice in Wellington announced

Top building apprentice in Wellington region announced

Carterton apprentice Rhys Doesburg has been named the Wellington Region's Registered Master Builders 2010 Apprentice of the Year, in association with Carters.

The 25 year old will now compete against top carpentry apprentices from around the country at the national Apprentice of the Year finals in Wellington in October.

Rhys is completing his carpentry apprenticeship through the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation and is employed by Holmes Construction.

The judges said that Rhys was a straight talking, confident, well-prepared young man, and that was evident in his thorough submission.

"We were most impressed with the excellent finishing details of the concrete stairs leading up to the wine cellar [of his project]. He has proven himself to be adaptable to commercial and residential work," judges said.

"During the interview it became evident that Rhys has the same strong commitment to his young family as he has to his work," they said.

Brent Waldron, Chief Executive of principal sponsor Carters, says he is delighted with the standard of entries this year.

"The number of quality finalists is a great result, especially given the difficult times the building industry has faced. It is also a pleasing reflection of the industry's goal to raise the standard of building in New Zealand," he says.

RMBF Chief Executive Warwick Quinn says the calibre and enthusiasm of this year's apprentices, highlights the building and construction sector as a great place to train and work.

"It is pleasing to see so many young passionate apprentices taking on the challenge of the Apprentice of the Year. Having these young folk prepared to step up and push themselves this early in their career bodes well for a strong skills base within our industry in the future," Mr Quinn says.

Second place in the regional competition went to Shaun Bussey, 21, of Paraparaumu with Matthew Palmer, 21, of Tawa placed third.

The awards evening, held at the Wellington Town Hall on Friday 24 September, was well attended with guests including Mayors Jenny Brash and David Ogden, RMBF Board Chairman Mike Fox, Carters Wellington Regional Manager Simon Henderson, BCITO Group Manager Support Services Paul Mitchell, Building Practioner Licensing Manager from the Department of Building and Housing Mark Scully, and representatives from the local building industry. Nick Tansley was MC for the night.

Rhys received an Outward Bound leadership course valued up to $3,600, and either a study grant towards the completion of study or postgraduate study in any construction or business course valued up to $2,000, or a Carters voucher for a substantial purchase of up to $1,500 for winning the regional competition. Rhys also received a Warthog double sided ladder, an IRWIN tool bag with mobile phone holder and a Department of Building and Housing jacket, bag and beanie.

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