Eight Bay apprentices to compete for national title

Kalem Uttinger at the Bay of Plenty building apprentice of the year competition. Photo/File

Eight Bay of Plenty apprentices will be competing for the national title of Apprentice of the Year later this year.

The winners of the Bay of Plenty Region Apprentice of the Year will go head to head with apprentices from nine other regions in the national final, will be announced at an awards ceremony on Thursday, September 3.

Entries for the Registered Master Builders Carters 2015 Apprentice of the Year competition have now closed, with 145 apprentices from up and down New Zealand set to compete for the coveted title and a share of over $100,000 worth of prizes.

RMBA chief executive David Kelly was pleased to note that entry numbers were rising year on year, as construction activity was on the rise in some areas of the country. Entries are particularly strong in the Central North Island, with numbers up 66 percent from last year.

"It's fantastic to see more and more apprentices step forward to compete in Apprentice of the Year," Mr Kelly said.

"The competition opens doors for many of the entrants. It is an opportunity for them to prove themselves alongside their peers, and the building and construction community."

The Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) saw a record number of apprentice sign ups in 2014, reflecting a real commitment from the construction industry.

BCITO chief executive Ruma Karaitiana said he was proud to support an event which showcases the best of the best in New Zealand carpentry apprentices.

"Apprentice of the Year is an excellent way to recognise and celebrate the talent and passion in the construction industry. Any event that challenges apprentices and encourages them to be the best that they can be is one we are more than happy to support," he said.

"With the increase of apprentices signing up to BCITO, we are excited to see the talent at Apprentice of the Year 2015."

Regional judging kicks off this week. Written entries will be judged and entrants will be interviewed as the judging panel work to find a top apprentice in each of the ten regions.

The winning apprentice from each region will then go on to compete for the national title of Registered Master Builders Carters 2015 Apprentice of the Year.

Each winner will receive $2,000 to spend at Carters, a spot at an Outward Bound course and a range of products and tools.

Winners from each region will be come together at the Apprentice of the Year national competition in Auckland in October which includes a practical element of a build for charity. These results will be celebrated at a national awards gala dinner at The Cloud.