Strong competition in Apprentice of the Year

Strong competition in the 2010 Apprentice of the Year

A strong number of carpentry apprentices from across the country are set to take on the challenge of the Registered Master Builders 2010 Apprentice of the Year, in association with Carters.

A total of 155 apprentices have entered this year’s competition.

Now in its seventh year, the competition has over $100,000 worth of prizes up for grabs, which includes 10 places on the Outward Bound Leadership Programme for the regional winners.

Held in 10 regions throughout the country, the competition aims to find and reward outstanding carpentry apprentices and bring attention to the wide variety of career opportunities in the building and construction industry. 

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.

“In the current economic climate, it is impressive to see so many young builders stepping up to the challenge as their skills will be needed more than ever in the near future.

“The high level of entries again this year for Apprentice of the Year signifies the importance of this competition to young carpentry apprentices looking to advance their careers.

“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, BCITO and Carters. Up to 10 finalists will then 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 21 October. This year the national finalists will also undergo a practical test in addition to being interviewed by the judges.

The Apprentice of the Year competition is made possible 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. 

For more information or to speak with one of the entrants or sponsors please contact:

Sarah Buchanan on 027 434 7977, 04 494 5177 or sbuchanan@nbpr.co.nz

Regional Event dates and details

Central North Island

Friday 17 September

Upper South Island

Wednesday 22 September

Central South Island

Thursday 23 September

Waikato

Thursday 23 September

Southern

Friday 24 September

Wellington

Friday 24 September

Auckland

Tuesday 28 September

Northern

Thursday 30 September

East Coast

Friday 1 October

Bay of Plenty

Friday 1 October

National Awards Judging and Dinner in Wellington

20/21 October

ends

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