Bay apprentice is top in the country

Lee Holloway on site in Hastings

Lee Holloway is quietly proud to have headed off 11 other promising apprentices to win the Certified Builders' Apprentice of the Year.

After taking out the regional title, Mr Holloway took on the country's best at the Certified Builders Association's annual conference. The Simkin Construction apprentice, didn't expect the win.

"My goal was to make the top three," he says. "When they announced the third and second place-getters, your chances look extremely low. And then my name popped up. I was taken aback really, I was proud and shocked."

It is the second time an EIT carpentry apprentice has taken out the national title, with Paul McDowall claiming top spot in 2011.

The competition was very close, says EIT's carpentry apprenticeship programme co-ordinator Shane Sigglekow. The range of tasks undertaken over a "full-on weekend" included introducing conference speakers and taking part in panel interviews. "For a small region...we consistently achieve great results nationally and our EIT carpentry programmes are recognised as among the best performing in the country," Mr Sigglekow said.

Mr Holloway is not new to competition. Now in the final months of his apprenticeship, he first won the regional final two years ago. He entered again last year without success but persevered, giving it another try this year. The 32-year-old has always been interested in building. His grandfather and his parents were role models with their interest in DIY.

"I'm a Kiwi, so it's born into you."

A major undertaking was the renovation of the family home in Akina, which now accommodates wife Gemma and the couple's three children.