Far North carpentry apprentice Kyran Van Iperen is up there with the best in the country after he was named runner up in the Registered Master Builders Carters 2014 Apprentice of the Year competition.
Mr Van Iperen, 25, employed by Coastal Homes in Coopers Beach, came second in the competition on Friday to Christchurch carpentry apprentice Tom Southen, following a demanding practical test in Auckland which saw each apprentice building a playhouse for charity. He had won the Northern Region Registered Master Builders Carters 2014 Apprentice of the Year to earn his place in the national final.
Ryan Smith-Pilling of Palmerston North, 21, employed by Nailing It in Feilding and trained through BCITO, was third.
The winner earned prizes including an Apple iPad, a Carters Business Tools Grant towards furthering his career valued at $5000, a tool and safety gear pack worth $1000 and the use of a Ford Ranger XLT vehicle for the duration of his reign as Apprentice of the Year.
Nine finalists from up and down the country were put through their paces over the two days of the competition, each undergoing a 45-minute interview with the judges, followed by the practical component in front of family, colleagues, friends, and the public.
The gala dinner awards evening, hosted by MC and actor Millen Baird, was held at The Cloud in Auckland on Friday night.
Registered Master Builders Chief Executive Brendon Ward says he was thrilled to see over 130 young people stepping up to compete in the competition.
"All the apprentices who have taken part in the competition have done themselves proud, especially our national finalists, proving our industry is in good stead with an impressive bunch of future leaders," he said.
Mr Van Iperen's playhouse will be donated to Papakura Franklin Blue Light Ventures after the charity was drawn at random.