Young carpentry apprentices to compete for title

Young carpentry apprentices to compete for national title

Entries have opened for the 2008 Registered Master Builders Apprentice of the Year, in association with Carters.

Key players in New Zealand’s building and construction industry have again joined forces to find the country’s top young carpentry apprentice, as part of an ongoing commitment to recognise excellence in the industry’s future leaders.

Backed by principal sponsor Carters and supporting sponsors the Registered Master Builders Federation (RMBF), the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO), and the Department of Building and Housing (DBH), the competition celebrates the success of apprentices and raises awareness of career opportunities in the industry.

The Minister for Building and Construction, Hon Shane Jones, says the Government has long recognised the value of apprenticeships.

"Apprentices contribute to workplace stability through long-term training and employment arrangements. The Government is committed to supporting structured apprentice training programmes that provide up-to-date training methods ensuring industry standards and a skilled workforce,” Mr Jones says.

“The Apprentice of the Year competition is a great initiative that encourages young New Zealanders to succeed in the building and construction sector. I strongly encourage apprentices to enter."

Now in its fifth year, the Apprentice of the Year competition underwent significant change in 2007, with the introduction of a national title. Last year’s competition attracted a record 133 entries.

Entry numbers are expected to grow even further this year, with the age limit being lifted to 26 years or younger in the year of the competition, to reflect the increasing average age of apprentices.

Regional and national place-getters are being offered a substantial prize pool, including an attractive range of tools, Outward Bound leadership courses, study grants and the top national prize of a trip for two to an Australasian trade show, valued at $3500, plus a Carters Future Development Grant of $5000.

_The chief executive of principal sponsor Carters, Stuart Munro, says the Apprentice of the Year competition is a fitting way for the company to recognise the valuable role carpentry apprentices have within the building and construction industry.

“We were thrilled with the success of the inaugural national competition last year, and are pleased to be supporting this leading industry event once again.”

The winner of last year’s National Apprentice of the Year title, Rhys Forsyth, says the competition is an excellent way for carpentry apprentices have their skills and knowledge tested against those of their peers.

“It’s rewarding to have your hard work recognised by your employer, family and friends, and leaders in the industry. Entering the competition was a great way to challenge myself and has opened up doors for my future in the industry,” Rhys says.

Entries in the competition are open until 31 July 2008. For further information, or to download an entry form, go to www.masterbuilder.org.nz or www.bcito.org.nz. Entry forms can also be collected from Carters stores nationwide.

ENDS

Notes to editor:
The Apprentice of the Year competition is a joint initiative by Carters, the Registered Master Builders Federation, the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) and the Department of Building and Housing (DBH). It aims to recognise excellence among carpentry apprentices and raise awareness of the career opportunities in the building and construction industry.

The Apprentice of the Year competition is being run in 10 regions this year: Northern, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, East Coast, Central North Island, Wellington, Upper South Island, Central South Island and Southern.

Regional winners receive a prize package which includes:

* Participation in a specialist Outward Bound Leadership Programme tailored for Apprentice of the Year winners (value up to $2500)

* A scholarship towards completion of study or postgraduate study in any construction or building course (value up to $2000)

Regional place-getters receive a prize pack which includes:

* Prize packs from Carters including tools and products from Hitachi, Stanley, Irwin Industrial Tools, and Wholesafe, branded merchandise from the BCITO

All entrants in the Apprentice of the Year competition also receive an apprenticeship membership to the Registered Master Builders Federation for one year.

The winner of each regional competition and up to three guests will be brought to Wellington in October to take part in the national competition. The winner of the National Apprentice of the Year title will be announced at an awards evening following national judging.

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