Three apprentice builders from the Whanganui district are in line for higher honours with judging under way in the Registered Master Builders-Carters 2016 Apprentice of the Year competition.
The search is on for the country's 10 best apprentices being judged across 10 regions.
Whanganui and Manawatu are included in the Central North Island zone and 14 apprentices are being assessed before the regional winner is announced at a gala dinner in Whanganui on Friday, August 26.
Judging is over three stages starting with an entry submission worth 20 points, followed by an interview (100 points) an finally a site visit (100 points).
The 10 regional winners then compete for the National Apprentice of the Year title. The national judging takes place over two days in November and includes a 45-minute interview with the national judging panel and a practical skills test.