Spotlight on Waikato top trainees

Waikato youngsters will be honoured next month at an industry function that highlights excellence in the trades.

The Gallagher Rotary Industry Awards will throw the spotlight on up-and-coming employees in the fields of construction, light engineering, heavy engineering, plumbing, plastics manufacturing and personnel management.

More than 120 people are expected at the event at the Wintec Atrium on Tuesday.

C F Reese Plumbing shareholder/director Aaron Rink was instrumental in establishing the awards in 2004 following the death of Colin Reese, the company founder and a founding member of the Rotary Club of Frankton. Mr Reese had employed Mr Rink as an apprentice plumber.

"That was in the early 90s when it was really tough to get an apprenticeship," Mr Rink said.

"Colin gave me a chance and I wanted to give something back to the industry. With the assistance of his old Rotary club, we've been able to give out a scholarship each year and set another young person on their way."

This year, the company will award its seventh Colin Reese Memorial Scholarship. The recipient gets $1000 worth of tools plus an apprenticeship, mentoring and ongoing support.

In the past few years, the awards have expanded as other industries have asked to become involved and Foster Construction, Stafford Engineering, TRT, Convex Plastics and Success Personnel now also recognise and acknowledge existing trainees at the awards night.

The event is run and organised by the Rotary Club of Frankton.