Media release: 7 June 2017
Competition building as top tradies step up to the challenge
Entries for the Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2017 Apprentice of the Year have now closed, with more than 160 apprentices entering from across the country. They will go head to head for the sought-after title and share of more than $100,000 worth of prizes.
New Zealand is currently facing its biggest ever building boom. The Government is investing $14.4 million in industry training over the next four years to help fill the nationwide construction skills shortage so this competition comes at the perfect time to highlight the urgent need for more apprentices.
Registered Master Builders Chief Executive David Kelly says that apprenticeships should be more than an alternative to university for young people, as they are vital for New Zealand’s economic growth and development in this period of unprecedented demand.
“With the construction skills shortage currently facing the building and construction industry, the value of an apprenticeship has never been higher. This competition promotes the opportunities out there for talented young people and school leavers thinking about pursuing a career in the trades,” he says.
“Apprenticeships offer the chance to earn as you learn and be a part of an industry with strong job prospects and opportunities for growth. This needs to be recognised and supported by parents and teachers to attract more young people to the trades.
“It is great to see so many young apprentices stepping up to make their mark on the industry through this competition and we wish them all the best as the regional competitions gets underway.”
The Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) Chief Executive Warwick Quinn says they are proud to support an event that fosters the young talent in the building and construction industry.
“The construction industry is in desperate need of skilled apprentices. While the Government has announced that 43,000 New Zealanders are currently engaged in an apprenticeship this is still nowhere near enough to meet demand,” he says.
“We need thousands more apprentices each year, which means attracting new recruits to the industry is critical. Apprentice of the Year is a fantastic way to promote this by showing young people the opportunity and growth that exists in the trades.
“This competition showcases the best in the industry and we look forward to watching these talented apprentices grow into leaders of the future.”
Regional judging is made up of two stages - an initial entry submission and then for the top 100, an interview with the judging panel and an onsite visit where contestants will discuss their project.
The winning apprentice from each region will receive $2,000 to spend at CARTERS, a place at an Outward Bound course, and a range of products and tools. All entrants receive an apprenticeship membership to the Registered Master Builders Association.
The regional winners will then go on to compete at the Apprentice of the Year national competition in Auckland in November. They will be vying for the national title of Registered Master Builders CARTERS 2017 Apprentice of the Year.
The Registered Master Builders CARTERS 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.