New Zealand's top carpentry apprentice named

New Zealand can rest assured its building industry will be well taken care of in the future judging by the skills showcased by nine young carpentry apprentices this week.

Mairangi Bay carpentry apprentice James Poore, 22, was named the Registered Master Builders Carters 2012 Apprentice of the Year in Wellington on Friday night after competing alongside eight other national finalists from up and down the country.

Second place was awarded to Adam Knott, 25, of Wellington who is employed by Mackersey Construction, while 24-year-old Ben Bersma, employed by Gardien Construction in Auckland, took out third place.

The competition judges say winner James Poore, employed by Harbour Construction/Kalmar Construction Ltd in Takapuna and trained by the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO), is the stand-out winner.

“James has absolutely nailed this competition and is well-deserving of the national Apprentice of the Year title. He stood out from the beginning with a comprehensive knowledge of his project submission, and his understanding of the processes was unrivalled.”

“He is organised and methodical in his practical work, and he was confident and easy to talk to throughout the interview,” judges say.

“James has some great mentors on site who have provided him with structure around his learning. He is a capable, well-balanced person who has excelled in all areas. He is a true all-rounder.”

The nine finalists were put through their paces over the two days of the competition, each undergoing a 45-minute interview with the national judging panel on Thursday, followed by a half-day practical judging component on Friday morning at the Carters Frame and Truss plant in Lower Hutt.

The practical component consisted of three challenges based around the construction of a set of temporary stairs for use on a building site: constructing a dovetail joint, building the set of stairs and then a handrail to one side.

The awards event, held at Wellington’s Te Wharewaka on Friday evening, was well attended by the apprentices and their families, key representatives from the building and construction industry, 2011 Apprentice of the Year Ryan Keogh, MC, comedian Ben Hurley and guest speaker Olympic Rowing Bronze Medallist Peter Taylor.

Registered Master Builders Federation chief executive Warwick Quinn says the Apprentice of the Year competition is a great way for the industry to support the young people coming through the trade.

“We are pleased to be involved in a competition which values the efforts of these young carpentry apprentices. We want to keep talent like this in our industry and assist them to aim high in their future career and business endeavours. The qualities shown by these young men indicate they all have a bright future in building,” says Mr Quinn.

“The Apprentice of the Year competition is an excellent stepping stone and a challenge that will hopefully give these apprentices the boost they need to be successful in this industry.”

Carters’ chief executive Paul Bull congratulates the apprentices who have come this far in the Apprentice of the Year competition and says their employers must also be commended for the ongoing support invested in the young people who have taken part.

“We appreciate the role that our industry’s employers play in the training and development of these young carpentry apprentices. The success of the apprentices in the competition right across the country shows the system is working.”

The 2012 national competition marks its sixth year, steadily gaining momentum since its inception in 2007.
Apprentices, employers and those young people aspiring to be part of the construction industry are encouraged to join up to the Apprentice of the Year Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/apprenticeoftheyear.  

For further information, visit www.apprenticeoftheyear.co.nz.

Apprentice of the Year National Finalists

James Poore, 21, of Mairangi Bay, Auckland employed by Harbour Construction/Kalmar Construction Ltd in Takapuna
Ben Bersma, 24, of Greenlane, Auckland employed by Gardien Construction in Kohimarama
Frank Dyer, 25, of Whitianga employed by Hamr Home Building Contractors Ltd
Dallas Tither, 22, of Invercargill employed by Jennian Homes Southland
Mackenzie McGougan, 21, of Ohope employed by Coastal Build (2007) Ltd
Mark Jones, 21, of Marton employed by Rayner Building
Adam Knott, 25, of Johnsonville employed by Mackersey Construction Ltd
Daniel Crockett, 22, of Blenheim employed by Haack Construction Ltd
Joshua Gardner, 23, of Christchurch employed by A & A Coombs Builders