Troy Matheson of Redmond Builders was overjoyed when he was awarded first place at the Hawkes Bay East Coast Registered Master Builders 2015 Apprentice of the Year competition.
The 23-year-old from Napier says his confidence has grown significantly since winning the award.
“Winning the regional Apprentice of the Year has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It has been a great way to establish my reputation within the construction industry and has encouraged me to continually strive for the best,” he says.
Troy explains that while the competition was challenging at times, he valued the moments in which he could show off his talent and passion for the craft.
“The sit-down interview with the three judges definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone. I had a few practice runs with various people to help me prepare for it,” he says.
“I was really proud to show the judges the detail and skill I had demonstrated in the house build. It’s really valuable to have your work evaluated by the best in the industry and it’s a great feeling when they applaud it!”
Troy credits Redmond Builders for providing unwavering support throughout the Apprentice of the Year competition and his apprenticeship.
“My employers contributed immensely to my success at Apprentice of the Year. My boss dedicates a lot of time and effort into training and mentoring apprentices. I work with a great group of people, including two previous winners of the competition which has been incredibly helpful,” he says.
Troy encourages any budding apprentices to enter the competition as it is a great way to grow your confidence in the trade and make your mark in the construction industry.
Apprentices, employers and young people aspiring to be part of the construction industry are also encouraged to join the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/apprenticeoftheyear.
The 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.
