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 more than $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 construction industry.
Registered Master Builders Federation chief executive Warwick Quinn is pleased with the level of this year’s entries, and says the competition is a great way to “showcase the skills and talent of our young industry players”.
“The high level of entries reaffirms the strength of the Apprentice of the Year competition, and it’s great to see so many young carpentry apprentices taking the right steps to measure their skills.
“The industry has been hit hard over the past couple of years, and high quality new talent is just what the building sector needs to ensure we maintain a good level of skills for when things pick up again.”
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 presentations 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 national 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 supported by the Department of Building and Housing.
Finalists, family members, employers, training advisors and sponsor representatives will be invited to attend the regional events listed below.
Regional Event Dates:
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
