Media Release

FOR RELEASE AUGUST 14, 2013

Finalists Go Through to September Awards

A stellar line up of judges representing the forest and wood industry completed the judging this week for the 2013 National Training Awards. The finalists have been selected from a total of 55 entries, which included 10 entered in the Trainee of the Year Furniture category where the nominee constructed a piece of furniture as their entry. These pieces will be displayed at the Wood Expo which is happening the two days prior to the Awards at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre.

The finalists selected for the 12 categories represent the best of the best and will all go through to the Awards dinner being held September 13 in Rotorua. They signify an extensive spread of key industry players from the bottom of the south island to the top of the north island.

The judges gave an all round thumbs up on the calibre of the finalists and suggested that the furniture company nominations well exceeded the standard of last year's entries and were a reassurance that training in the forestry, wood and manufacturing industry was crucial to maintain a risk free environment with high quality outcomes.

Tickets have been selling well for the awards dinner as companies look to support the apprentices that are the future of the industry. Tickets are on sale online and organisers encourage people to get their tickets well before the closing date to avoid disappointment.

“It’s a great opportunity to support own trainees and the industry and see the talent coming out of  New Zealand’s forest and wood industry companies” says Competenz General Manager Rachel Hopkins.

The award winners will be announced at the Awards Dinner on September 13 and will be released to the media at midnight Friday September 13. 

AWARD CATEGORY FINALISTS

·         Modern Apprentice of the Year – Forestry – sponsored by STIHL
Lawrence Rehutai                   : UBQ Limited, Tokoroa
Vincent Collins                        : C3, Picton
Cameron Gunn                       : GJ Sole Transport Ltd, New Plymouth

·         Modern Apprentice of the Year – Wood Manufacturing – sponsored by Competenz
Glen King                                : Taranakipine, New Plymouth
Jamie Robertson                    : Waverley Sawmills, Waverley
Joshua Pendeigh                    : Southern Cross Forest Products Ltd, Mosgiel

·         Modern Apprentice of the Year – Furniture – sponsored by Mirotone
Jason Michie                           : Naturally Wood, Auckland
Joel Garrick                             : Finishers Touch, New Plymouth
Jakob Walker                          : INNATURE Ltd, Auckland

·         Trainee of the Year – Forestry – sponsored by STIHL
Nukumai Jensen                     : Raywood Contracting, Gisborne
Nathan Taylor                          : Wood Contracting, Brightwater
John Strachan                         : Johnson Forestry Services, Dunedin

·         Trainee of the Year – Wood Manufacturing – sponsored by Juken NZ Ltd
Sandy Russell                         : Carter Holt Harvey, Whangarei
Matthew Shaw                        : CHH Pulp & Paper Kinleith, Tokoroa
Hemana Waaka                      : CHH Woodproducts NZ, Kawarau
Lisa Tregurtha                         : Kiwi Lumber, Danniverke

·         Trainee of the Year – Furniture – sponsored by Milwaukee
Chad Butson                           : Otago Furniture
Jason Michie                           : Naturally Wood
Alex Rau                                  : Molloy Furniture

·         Training Company of the Year – Forestry – sponsored by Rayonier Matariki
Steve Yeoman                        : Volcanic Plateau Logging Limited, Taupo
Gary & Marija Dalziel              : Kimberly Contractors, Gisborne
Raymond McDougall              : Mangoihe Logging, Whangarei

·         Training Company of the Year – Wood Manufacturing – sponsored by Skellerup
Juken New Zealand (Wairarapa) Ltd, Masterton
CHH Woodproducts NZ, Whangarei Mill, Whangarei
Northpine Limited, Whangarei

·         Training Company of the Year – Furniture – sponsored by Competenz
Sealy NZ, Auckland
Central Joinery, Auckland

·         Outstanding Business Performance through People Development - sponsored by Juken NZ Ltd
Grant Kumeroa                       : Taranakipine
Bruce Larsen                          : Northpine Limited
Juken New Zealand (Wairarapa)

·         Competenz Training Leader of the Year - sponsored by STIHL
Adrian Greig                            : Juken New Zealand (Wairarapa) Ltd, Masterton
Les Bak                                   : Nelson Forests Limited, Nelson
Paul Carpenter                        : Woodwise Ltd, Rotorua

·         Health & Safety Initiative - sponsored by ACC
Michelle Harris                        : Carter Holt Harvey Pulp, Paper & Packaging, South Waikato
Kelvin Diack                            : Raywood Contracting, Gisborne
Mike Alexander                        : Fast Harvesting Limited, Tokoroa

Tickets are available on line at MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "www.fitec.org.nz" claiming to be http://www.competenz.org.nz/awards/
Full Price $150
Table (10) $1350                     * All ticket prices are inclusive GST

ENDS

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