Oamaru Painter/ Decorator Finalist in Apprentice of The Year Award

Ricky Shalders from Oamaru has been chosen as one of six finalists in this year’s Apprentice of the Year Award. The winner will be announced at the Coastal Otago Industry Training Organisation Graduation Ceremony on 6th November in the Dunedin Town Hall.

Ricky, who is a Housemaster at Waitaki Boys’ High boarding hostel and very active in a youth church group in Oamaru, completed his apprenticeship with 4Trades and was hosted by Oamaru company, Darryn Stewart Painters and Decorators.

He was working as a meat boner at the Pukeuri Meat Processing Plant when he began to think about investing in a trade. His decision took on more urgency when a major fire at the plant, in 2006, resulted in layoffs. Ricky gave serious thought to what he wanted to achieve. “I wanted a trade that could lead to self-employment, and provide work if I travelled overseas. I also wanted to acquire skills that could make a contribution to the community. I knew I wanted more than a job - I wanted a trade.”

It was this passion to become a tradesperson that impressed 4Trades. Bill Cubitt from 4Trades Apprenticeship Training Trust says, “ It is so encouraging to see such commitment in a young person and it translated into an outstanding effort from Ricky. He has been an exceptional apprentice.”

Ricky’s host company, Darryn Stewart Painters and Decorators, specialise in painting new architect-designed homes and in wall-papering. At 4 Trades, Darryn Stewart is considered a master at developing very good tradesmen. He is very fastidious and demands high standards. According to Darryn, Ricky more than met the grade.

“Ricky’s work has always been of a high standard. He very quickly earned himself a reputation as an enthusiastic, reliable and hard working painter, producing a high standard of work in all aspects of his trade. He always sticks to the task at hand and exceeds the expected standard. He’s a great, conscientious worker.”

Ricky says that any job can become mundane but for him it was the goal of completing his apprenticeship that kept him on track. “I was motivated to be the best I could be. I kept reminding myself that I’m not just a worker, that my purpose was to learn how to do everything to the highest standard.”

Bill Cubitt says Ricky was always ahead of expectations right from his first year. “He worked independently most of the time and required minimum supervision. He always strives to do more and seeks continual improvement. He consistently achieves excellence in his work and produces a quality finish.

“For the National Certificate in Painting, he passed all three training courses he attended with distinction and then went on to achieve the Wall Covering qualification and passed with Merit. He received excellent feedback on his general attitude and commitment to the course.”

Darryn Stewart says Ricky’s interpersonal skills have been clearly noticeable when dealing with clients’ needs. “ He is approachable and communicates well with everyone he comes into contact with. He is a likeable young man.

“He always rose to the challenge when given extra responsibility including taking other apprentices under his wing to complete jobs. They were always done to perfection. I can leave him on the job and he has the ability to organise everything that needs to be done, and done professionally.”

Ricky has enjoyed the camaraderie of the close-knit team at Darryn Stewart’s and now he has completed his apprenticeship he has a sense of fulfilment.

“I really feel that I have accomplished something. It’s been time well spent, a great investment for my future, no matter what I end up doing. I may move into youth work fulltime, but I will never lose my trade.”
The prestigious Apprentice of the Year Award has become a feature of the Coastal Otago Trade Graduation. This year around 400 qualified apprentices from the Waitaki District, Dunedin City and Clutha District, are eligible to graduate at the ceremony.

The other finalists for the award are Winston Fenton (Electrical Engineering), Mark Cowien (Engineering- Heavy Fabrication), Sebastian Eden (Painting), Daniel Smith (Painting and Decorating) and Rodney Griffths (Flooring).

For more information:

Kim Newman - Graduation Co-ordinator, ITO Coastal Otago

03 474 3825 Fax: 03 474 3458

Mobile: 0272 770 664