Winner Cameron Diack (centre) with second place Brodie Phillips (left) and third place Daniel Ranger (right). Photo / Supplied
Winner Cameron Diack (centre) with second place Brodie Phillips (left) and third place Daniel Ranger (right). Photo / Supplied
Building apprentice Cameron Diack has been named the 2019 Bay of Plenty/Central Plateau Registered Master Builders Carters 2019 Apprentice of the Year.
The results were announced at an awards evening at the Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club tonight.
The 23-year-old from Mount Maunganui trained through Toi Ohomai Institute ofTechnology and is employed by Jones Builders.
The apprentices were judged on a two-hour practical challenge where they built a bird box.
The top 10 in the region progressed to an interview with the judging panel followed by an onsite visit where contestants discussed their project.
Diack impressed the judges with his high standard of workmanship and attention to detail.
Cameron Diack has been named the 2019 Bay of Plenty/Central Plateau Registered Master Builders Carters 2019 Apprentice of the Year. Photo / File
"Cameron is a confident individual who demonstrated a high level of industry knowledge throughout the competition. He has great communication skills and is extremely motivated to be successful in the building industry.
"Cameron has a high standard of workmanship and attention to detail, which will see him have a bright future ahead of him and be an asset to the industry."
Second place in the regional competition was awarded to Brodie Phillips, 21, from Tanners Point, who was trained by BCITO and is employed C B Homes.
Judges said Phillips demonstrated a high skill set and was able to quickly work through issues.
Third place was awarded to 23-year-old Daniel Ranger, from Tauranga, who was trained by BCITO and is employed by Calley Homes.
Judges said Ranger was a confident individual who displayed a thorough understanding of specific building knowledge.
Cameron Diack has been named the 2019 Bay of Plenty/Central Plateau Registered Master Builders Carters 2019 Apprentice of the Year. Photo / Supplied
Registered Master Builders Chief Executive David Kelly said for nearly 15 years the Apprentice of the Year competition had been showcasing and rewarding the country's best apprentices.
"Highlighting talent at the Apprentice of the Year competition is a fantastic way to show the growth opportunities within the building industry.
"These apprentices are our industry's future leaders," he said.
The competition not only recognises excellence among building apprentices, but it also acknowledges and celebrates the employers that contribute to the industry by investing in apprentices.
"We need more employers to invest their time, skills, and energy to train their apprentices and meet the growing demand, as we believe that on-the-job training gives apprentices the best opportunity to kickstart their careers," Kelly said.
"With the construction skills shortage currently facing the building and construction industry, the value of an apprenticeship has never been higher."
BCITO chief executive Warwick Quinn said the organisation was proud to be involved with an event that showcased the talent of the building and construction industry's future leaders, at a time when they were needed the most.
"We need thousands more apprentices each year, which means attracting new people is critical.
"Apprentice of the Year is a fantastic way to celebrate the talent that exists within the industry. All of this year's finalists are strong role models for those considering a career in the trades, and we look forward to seeing them put their skills to the test in the national competition."
Diack will now go on to compete against the winners from the other eight regions at the national Carters Apprentice of the Year 2019 competition in Auckland in November.
