Successful entrants in the competition receive an abundance of prizes, including a place on a specially designed Outward Bound course for the regional winners valued at $3600, and a study grant ($2000) or Carters voucher valued at $1500.
The national winner’s haul includes a $5000 Carters Business Tool Grant towards furthering their career, while their employer wins a $1000 travel voucher courtesy of Carters.Mr Waldron believes the competition has a number of benefits for the construction industry.
“It highlights the efforts of employers in the building sector that give something back to their industry and to New Zealand society. It also raises awareness of the building and construction industry as a career option for talented young people,” he says.
He acknowledges that building activity will be “subdued by historical standards as governments, institutions and individuals in most of the world struggle to get their balance sheets in order”.
Christchurch rebuild to instigate change
However, he believes the Christchurch rebuild will instigate a change in the industry.
“Canterbury may be a catalyst for the introduction of new productivity-enhancing approaches to building as the work, when it eventually does come, will test existing resources in an industry which has had to adapt to a collapse in demand.
“The apprentices competing in the Apprentice of the Year competition this year are well placed to launch their careers through this period, as the Christchurch demand is likely to have some impact on the rest of the country.”
Mr Waldron wishes all competing apprentices the best of luck. “I congratulate them on their dedication and thank their employers for supporting them. May the best apprentice win,” he says.
Entries for the 2011 Apprentice of the Year are now closed.
For further information go to www.masterbuilder.org.nz, www.carters.co.nz or www.bcito.org.nz.
Apprentices, employers and young people aspiring to be a part of the construction industry are encouraged to join up to the Facebook page by searching RMB Carters Apprentice of the Year at www.facebook.com.
