Apprentice turns on best floor show

Nathan Weston (third left) has been named the top first year flooring apprentice in the country.

Nathan Weston, of Hastings, has been named the top first-year flooring apprentice in the country.

Nathan took the title of Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) Stage One Flooring Apprentice of the Year at the annual awards in Christchurch.

The awards aim to recognise exceptional performance by tradespeople in the industry. Nathan, who is employed by Hays Carpet Laying, trained through the BCITO.

"I'm pretty shocked to have won," he said.

"There are so many on-to-it guys training, and I didn't think I had stood out.

"I'm stoked with the award. I think it will look pretty good on my CV. It shows I can excel in what I'm doing."

Asked what he thought won the award, Nathan said: "You have to be focused to get a good result.

"I'd call myself a bit of a perfectionist in a lot of ways. I don't do things by halves."

As part of his training-organisation apprenticeship, Nathan worked as a flooring installer and participated in off-job training at the Allied Trades Institute in Christchurch.

The award was based on his performance undertaking a range of tasks at the institute.

Nathan impressed on the course and Allied Trades Institute principal tutor Jeff Henry said: "Nathan was well prepared for his course; he showed a professional manner all throughout his training, with all theory and practical tasks completed to a very high standard."

BCITO chief executive Ruma Karaitiana said the apprentice award was a great way of encouraging best practice among tradespeople.

"We are right behind initiatives that provide a benchmark for tradespeople and challenge apprentices to stand out from their peers and really put their skills to the test. The flooring apprentice awards allow trainees to gain recognition in the industry.

"There's currently a massive demand for professional tradespeople in New Zealand, so we want to encourage more people to come and train to be part of this growing industry," Mr Karaitiana said.

The event is the flooring industry's biggest get-together.