Registered Master Builders Federation (RMBF) chief executive Warwick Quinn believes the Canterbury earthquakes have generated an incredibly high demand for skilled builders, many of whom are entrants and employers in this year’s Apprentice of the Year competition.
Vital part of the industry
“We are going to need these apprentices with the vast amount of work that is around the corner. Employers now play an important role, encouraging these young people to become a vital part of the industry,” Mr Quinn says.
“This year’s entrants in the competition are just the kind of exceptional young builders we need and want to take the industry into the future.”
Now in its eighth year, the apprentices are in the running to win a share of the $100,000 prize pack, including 10 places on the Outward Bound Leadership Programme for the regional winners, and a study grant or Carters voucher valued at $2000.
The national winner’s haul includes a $5000 Carters Business Tool Grant towards furthering their career, while their employer wins a $1000 travel voucher courtesy of Carters.
More than 100 apprentices have submitted their entries, which include details of a building project that they are each particularly proud of.
They will now undergo an interview with a judging panel made up of representatives from the RMBF, the Building and Construction Training Organisation (BCITO) and Carters, who will assess the entrants on their personal qualities, their industry knowledge and the completed project that best shows off their skills as a carpentry apprentice.
Judges will then undertake site visits to determine the regional winner.
The 10 regional winners will be announced at awards presentations across the country in August and September before gathering in Wellington to compete head to head, undergoing a practical carpentry test and a final interview with judges, for the 2011 title.
Entries for the 2011 Apprentice of the Year are now closed. For further information go to
www.masterbuilder.org.nz, www.carters.co.nz or www.bcito.org.nz.
The Apprentice of the Year competition is made possible by industry leaders Carters, the BCITO, the RMBF and the Department of Building and Housing.
Apprentices, employers and young people aspiring to be a part of the construction industry are encouraged to join up to the Facebook page by searching RMB Carters Apprentice of the Year at www.facebook.com.
