Auckland region’s top carpentry apprentice announced! - 30 Aug 2016


Carpentry apprentice Kadin Murray has been named the Auckland Registered Master Builders Carters 2016 Apprentice of the Year. 

The 20 year-old from Pokeno trained through the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) and is employed by Licensed Renovations.

Judges were impressed with his skill and high quality of work throughout the competition, and said he’s a well-deserving winner of the regional award.  

“Kadin presented an impressive entry submission which demonstrated a great understanding of the building industry and its regulations.”

“He displayed a high level of knowledge about Health and Safety and handled this aspect of the competition with complete competence.

“Kadin is a well-respected member of a progressive building company and receives strong support from his employer and colleagues.

“He has a very promising future in this exciting industry and is a worthy recipient of the Auckland Apprentice of the Year.”

Kadin was awarded a range of fantastic products and tools, $2,000 to spend at Carters, and a spot at an Outward Bound Course. 

Second place in the regional competition was awarded to 25 year-old Matt Hendl from Howick who is employed by Building Elements.

Third place was awarded to 21 year-old Kees van Lieshout from Pukekohe and employed by AJ Carpenters.

The results were announced at an awards evening on 29 August at Alexandra Park in Greenlane.

Registered Master Builders Chief Executive David Kelly says the competition not only celebrates the quality of New Zealand’s carpentry apprentices, but also helps to promote the opportunities that an apprenticeship in the trades has to offer. 

“The construction industry is going through an unprecedented period of growth. We need more people to join the trades across all levels. The Apprentice of the Year competition is a fantastic way to showcase our future industry leaders.

“We applaud the commitment and determination from all the apprentices, and we look forward to seeing even more from the finalists at the National competition in November.”

Supporting the competition for the 12th year running is principal sponsor Carters. National Sales Manager Rob Watson says the competition holds an important place in upholding the reputation of New Zealand’s building industry.

“Apprentice of the Year is a fundamental element of Carters’ investment in partnering with and ensuring that New Zealand’s apprentices are highly skilled, mentored and educated. 

“The competition is a fantastic opportunity for apprentices to get their name out there and gain recognition within the industry,” he says. 

Kadin will now compete against the winners from the other nine regions at the National competition in Auckland.

Each finalist will undergo a 45-minute interview with the national judging panel. They will then compete in a practical carpentry challenge where each apprentice will be tasked with building a play house to be donated to local schools. The practical challenge will take place at The Cloud on 4 November and will be open to the public.

The winner of the Registered Master Builders Carters 2016 Apprentice of the Year will be announced at an awards dinner on 4 November. 

Apprentices, employers and young people aspiring to be a part of the construction industry are encouraged to join the Facebook page.
(Photos from the Auckland event can be seen here)

For more information, visit apprenticeoftheyear.co.nz. 
The Registered Master Builders Apprentice of the Year competition is made possible thanks to principal sponsor Carters, the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO), and supporting sponsors the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and APL through their Altherm, First and Vantage brands.