Local apprentice wins new industry award

Media Release
19 September 2016

Local apprentice demonstrates skills to win new industry award

Thomas Forbes of Napier-based steel fabricator Red Steel took out Steel Construction New Zealand’s (SCNZ’s) inaugural Apprentice of the Year Award.

The Award was announced during a gala dinner following SCNZ’s AGM and conference in Napier on September 16th. Mr Forbes was presented with a trophy, certificate and $1,000. Runner up Louie Lumampao of John Jones Steel received a highly commended award and $500.

The SCNZ Apprentice of the Year Award, in association with Weldwell, acknowledges people whose skills, drive and willingness to learn and work hard has helped them to achieve outstanding outcomes. It recognises well-rounded apprentices who demonstrate not only talent in steel fabrication, but display traits important to the industry – commitment, innovation and ability.

24-year-old Mr Forbes was stoked to win the award, and says he is always up for new challenges. He credits his drive to demonstrate initiative for his success. “I’m constantly focused on improving outcomes, such as decreasing fabrication time through different fabrication methods and procedures.”

Red Steel workshop manager Alister Varcoe says that Mr Forbes regularly impressed him with his ability to learn. “Thomas rapidly became proficient at drawing interpretation and job planning. This, coupled with his exceptional ability to both fabricate and weld, allowed me to give Thomas the opportunity to work on projects traditionally reserved for long-serving tradesman. Thomas was given an extremely long leash with these projects and it was not long before he separated himself from the crowd and became one of my go-to men for the difficult projects.”

The judging process spanned two months. Finalists were invited to a face-to-face interview with the four-person judging panel, after which they were put through their paces during a practical skills exercise.

“We had two excellent finalists that highlighted the impressive ability of apprentices within our industry. The quality of both of their practical exercises was extremely high, which made it particularly difficult for the judging panel to determine the overall winner,” says judging panel spokesman Grant Simpson, Weldwell.

The Award is part of SCNZ’s work to promote careers and training in the structural steel sector.

“Over the last 10 years, New Zealand’s steel construction industry has undergone a renaissance and today its share of the New Zealand multilevel construction market is approximately 50%, and growing. This is not only thanks to the many beneficial properties of structural steel, but also to substantial investment by local firms in new technologies and management systems, which are revolutionising the construction industry worldwide,” says SCNZ manager Alistair Fussell.

“Importantly, a steel structure is the product of a highly skilled team, and each team member is essential to the overall success of the project. The structural steel sector boasts a wide variety of careers, and each offers challenging and rewarding opportunities.”

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