His main concerns are about the quality of apprentice candidates and that trades are not promoted evenly at high schools as a career path.
"There's an attitude that taking up a trade is a fall-back position; that you apply for a trade if you don't get into university," he says. "That needs to change.
"We interview on personality and attitude and it's important to find people who are good communicators."
It's not just school leavers who will be considered. Plumbing can also be an option for mature trainees looking for a career change. And if you think of muck and yuck when you think of plumbing Mike can tell you that it is a very different career these days with most of those pipe clearing jobs being mechanised.
"I've been in this trade for 20 years and there's such a variety of work. I'm still doing new stuff every month. It's a huge trade and there's no chance of getting bored.
"For example, we've just worked on a chocolate factory, putting a water jacket on the line to keep the chocolate melted as it moves round the factory.
"Before that we helped the DHB design a system for cleaning surgical tables. Hydraulic principles can be applied to all kinds of jobs," says Mike.
Plumbing & Gas Works was responsible for the design and engineering hydraulics of the new ANZ Group building in the city. The Hilda Ross Retirement Village has been an ongoing project for the company for 17 years as the facility has grown.
"We're committed to providing outstanding service and we also believe in giving back to the community by taking on apprentices and supporting local community organisations."
Plumbing & Gas Works was named Master Plumber of the Year at the 2017 New Zealand Plumbing Conference, organised by Master Plumbers in Nelson earlier this month.
Mike, one of four shareholders in the business, accepted the greenstone trophy for Master Plumber of the Year, on behalf of his Frankton-based team.
Employees Jacob Smith and Kris Rangitaawa also took top titles. Jacob was named 2017 Plumber, Gasfitter or Drainlayer of the Year while Kris won the James Douglas Medallion for New Zealand's top newly qualified plumber, gasfitter or drainlayer.
Kris, who took up his apprenticeship after 10 years as a carpenter and completed his Master Plumbers' MasterLink plumbing and gasfitting apprenticeship last year, urged young people to consider plumbing as a rewarding career option.
"There's a lot of opportunity for bright young people who don't mind hard work," he said. "Every day is different because there's such a broad spectrum of work and interesting challenges.
"You can be doing solar panels or hot water cylinders one day and gas fires the next. I absolutely love what I do and I have a fantastic boss and a great bunch of guys to work with."
"It's fantastic to win and we hope this helps attract more young people to think about taking up apprenticeships in the industry," says Mike.
"The New Zealand Plumbing Awards represent the pinnacle of achievement in the profession and it's an exceptional achievement for one business to win three titles," Master Plumbers chief executive Greg Wallace said.
"There is a shortfall of suitable young people applying for plumbing apprenticeships, yet those who do become apprentices are setting themselves up for a career where there is huge demand for their skills, they can earn a good salary and there are good opportunities, if you wish, to be your own boss.
"We are always happy to talk to young people, or those looking for a change of career, who would like to know more about doing a MasterLink apprenticeship."
The winners were announced at the New Zealand Plumbing Awards dinner in Nelson, sponsored by Plumbing World.
For information on undertaking an apprenticeship through the Master Plumbers' MasterLink programme, see masterlink.co.nz
