Carpentry apprentices to go head to head in national final

Media Release: 9 October 2014

Carpentry apprentices to go head to head in Apprentice of the Year national final

New Zealand’s top carpentry apprentices have packed their tool boxes and are preparing to descend on Auckland for the Registered Master Builders Carters 2014 Apprentice of the Year national final on Friday, 17 October.

Each of the nine apprentices who have made it to the national finals will be tasked with a practical challenge of constructing a children’s playhouse, which will be donated to a local charity on completion. The practical will be open to the public between 8am and 1pm and will take place at The Cloud on Auckland’s waterfront.

Registered Master Builders acting chief executive Brendon Ward says he is looking forward to seeing the talent at this year’s competition.

“The Apprentice of the Year national competition is a highlight for us every year – it’s wonderful to see the future leaders of our industry putting themselves forward and showing what they can do. We’re looking forward to seeing the finalists put through their paces at this year’s competition,” he says.

“Representatives from each of the nine charities will be there to cheer on their apprentice, and we encourage the public, friends and family to come down and show their support too.”

The national competition takes place across two days. Each apprentice will undergo a 45 minute interview with the national judging panel on the Thursday, going on to compete in the practical challenge on the Friday.

The winner of the Registered Master Builders Carters 2014 Apprentice of the Year will then be announced at an awards dinner at The Cloud on Friday evening, hosted by MC and actor Millen Baird.

The winning apprentice will receive a suite of prizes including an Apple iPad, a Carters Business Tools Grant towards furthering their career valued at $5,000, a tool and safety gear pack worth $1,000 and the use of a Ford Ranger XLT vehicle for the duration of his reign as Apprentice of the Year.

Apprentices, employers and young people aspiring to be a part of the construction industry are encouraged to join the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/apprenticeoftheyear or follow us on Twitter: @AOY_NZ. For more information, visit www.apprenticeoftheyear.co.nz.

Owned by the Registered Master Builders Association, the Apprentice of the Year competition is made possible thanks to principal sponsor Carters, the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO), and supporting sponsor the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).

ENDS

National finalists: Registered Master Builders Carters 2014 Apprentice of the Year

• Kyran Vaniperen, 25, from Mangonui, employed by Coastal Homes and trained through the BCITO

• Cody Webby, 20, from Pakuranga, employed by Licensed Renovations and trained through the BCITO

• Matthew Frost, 22, from Matamata, employed by Gudsell Designer Homes and trained through the BCITO

• William Ellis, 24, from Hawke’s Bay, employed by Redmond Builders and Construction and trained through the BCITO

• Ryan Smith-Pilling, 21, from Palmerston North, employed by Nailing It and trained through the BCITO

• Ryan Lake, 21, from Wellington, employed by Peter Camp Builders and trained through the BCITO

• Jesse Walker, 22, from Tasman, employed by Coman Construction and trained through the BCITO

• Tom Southen, 22, from Canterbury, employed by Farmbuild and trained through the BCITO

• David Gare, 24, from Invercargill, employed by Barry Stewart Builders and trained through the BCITO

Charities to receive building projects

• KidsCan Charitable Trust

• Life Education Trust Waitakere

• Life Education Trust Counties Manukau

• Morningside Playcentre

• Papakura Franklin Blue Light

• Pukekohe High School Childcare Centre

• The Village Community Services Trust

• Titirangi Playcentre

• West Auckland Parents Centre

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