The top carpentry apprentices from across New Zealand will go head to head this Friday 4 November, competing for the title of Registered Master Builders Carters 2016 Apprentice of the Year.

Ten apprentices have earnt their place in the national competition after competing against their peers to win their respective regional competitions.

To take out the national competition, the industry’s future leaders will have to impress the judging panel over a two day event, undergoing a 45 minute interview along with a practical component. Each competitor will be faced with the task of building a children’s playhouse, with the finished products being donated to local schools. The practical challenge will take place at The Cloud in Auckland on Friday 4 November and will be open to the public from 8am.

Registered Master Builders chief executive David Kelly says there has never been a better time to recognise the need for skilled apprentices in our industry.

“The industry is facing unprecedented demand, yet productivity must not come at the expense of quality,” he says.

“Apprentice of the Year is a fantastic way to showcase the quality craftsmanship of our future leaders.”

“There has never been a better time to begin an apprenticeship. We wish all the finalists good luck as they make their mark on the industry as Master Builders.”

The winner of the Registered Master Builders Carters 2016 Apprentice of the Year will be announced on 4 November at an awards dinner.

The national winner will receive prizes including the use of a Ford Ranger Ute for a year and a $5000 grant courtesy of Carters, a range of quality tools and an iPad, courtesy of MBIE. All ten finalists will also attend a specially designed Outward Bound course and the Registered Master Builders House of the Year National Gala on 26 November.

Apprentices, employers and young people aspiring to be a part of the construction industry are encouraged to join the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/registeredmasterbuilders or follow us on Twitter: @MasterBuilderNZThe Registered Master Builders Apprentice of the Year competition is made possible thanks to principal sponsor Carters, the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO), and supporting sponsors the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and APL through their Altherm, First and Vantage brands.

National finalists: Registered Master Builders Carters 2016 Apprentice of the Year

   * Toby Chapman-Smith, 27, from Auckland’s North Shore, employed by Court Construction and trained through BCITO   * Kadin Murray, 20, from Pokeno, employed by Licensed Renovations and trained through BCITO   * Ryan Tesselaar, 21, from Morrinsville, employed by Foster Construction and trained through BCITO   * Ethan Inglis, 22, from Tauranga, employed by Skilled Building Solutions and trained through BCITO   * Jake Pardoe, 21, from Hastings, employed by M&M Tibbles Construction and trained through BCITO   * Callum Bryson, 24, from Palmerston North, employed by McMillan & Lockwood PN Limited and trained through BCITO   * Andrew Press, 24, from Upper Hutt, employed by Hutt City Builders and trained through BCITO   * Wade Puklowski, 23, from Nelson, employed by Coman Construction and trained through the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT)   * Jono Blakely, 20, from Christchurch, employed by Andrew James Builders Limited and trained through BCITO   * Ben Bringans, 22, from Oamaru, employed by Banks’s Building Services Limited and trained through BCITO

Local schools to receive playhouses:   • Glenbrae Primary School, Glen Innes   • Pt England School, Pt England   • Mangere East School, Mangere East   • Te Kura Māori o Ngā Tapuwae, Mangere East   • Kelston Primary School, Kelston   • Hay Park School, Mount Roskill   • Swanson School, Swanson   • Avondale Primary School, Avondale   • Flat Bush School, Otara   • Ranui School, Ranui