Record numbers of young builders to compete

Media release
Tuesday 18 August

Record numbers of young builders to compete for national title

A record number of carpentry apprentices from across the country have accepted the challenge to compete in the Registered Master Builders 2009 Apprentice of the Year, in association with Carters.

A total of 161 apprentices have entered the competition this year, 26 more than in 2008, and more than any other year since the first competition in 2004.

The Apprentice of the Year competition is organised by industry leaders Carters, the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO), the Registered Master Builders Federation (RMBF) and the Department of Building and Housing.

Competitions are held in 10 regions around New Zealand, with each regional winner heading to Wellington to compete for the national title in October.

_BCITO chief executive Ruma Karaitiana says the BCITO is proud to continue its support of the Apprentice of the Year competition as part of its ongoing commitment to recognising and honouring excellence among apprentices.

He says that in the current economic climate, it is impressive to see so many young builders willing to give the competition a go.

_ “The Apprentice of the Year has grown year on year and the record level of entries this year signifies the importance of this competition to young carpentry apprentices looking to advance their careers,” Mr Karaitiana says.

“The competition recognises the skill and effort required to complete an apprenticeship and the winners display the best of what our industry has to offer for the future.”

Over the coming weeks, entrants in the competition will be interviewed by a judging panel made up of representatives from Registered Master Builders, the BCITO and Carters. Up to 10 finalists will be selected from each region and the judging panel will visit each finalist’s building site to determine each region’s winning apprentice.

The 10 regional winners will be announced at awards evenings across the country in September and October before gathering in Wellington to compete for the national Apprentice of the Year title on October 22.

[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. The winners of each regional competition qualify for the national competition final.

The 2009 national winner will receive a prize package which includes:

• Trophy and title of 2009 Carpentry Apprentice of the Year

• A Carters Development Grant to the value of $5,000

• A trip for two to a trade show and associated travel package valued at $3,000

All Regional winners will receive a prize pack which includes:

• Participation in a specialist Outward Bound Leadership Programme tailored for Apprentice of the Year winners (value up to $2,600 plus travel)

• A study grant towards completion of study in any construction or building course (value up to $2,000) or a Carters voucher for a substantial purchase, i.e. major tool (value up to $1,500)

Regional place-getters will receive a prize pack, which includes:

• Prize packs from Carters including tools and products from Makita, Stanley, Wholesafe and Irwin Industrial Tools, branded merchandise from the BCITO and material from the Department of Building and Housing

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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