Top building apprentice in Southern region announced

Invercargill carpentry apprentice Dallas Tither has been named the Southern Region Registered Master Builders Carters 2012 Apprentice of the Year.

The 22 year old, employed by Jennian Homes Southland and trained by the BCITO, impressed competition judges who say Dallas is clear about what is expected from him on the building site.

“Dallas understands building principles, and has real passion and high standards. He delivers a high quality product and is proud of his achievements,” judges say.

As part of the entry process, each apprentice was asked to submit the project they were most proud of. Dallas presented judges with his work on a high end home on a dairy farm in Mossburn.
Dallas’ employer Carl Hamilton, owner of Jennian Homes Southland, says he has respect and confidence in Dallas’ building skills.

“His knowledge base and ability to understand the principles of project management are of a very high standard. I can set Dallas tasks with the confidence that the timeframe and high work standards will be met,” he says.

“He copes extremely well with the challenges of building, and is motivated by the completion of projects and having satisfied clients. He has the ability to manage other staff, and liaise with suppliers, trades people and clients.”

Dallas was awarded his choice of either a study grant to the value of $2,000, or $2,000 to spend at Carters, as well as an Outward Bound Leadership Programme valued at over $3,600, a Stanley hand tool package and other prizes, as well as the coveted title of the Southern Region Registered Master Builders Carters 2012 Apprentice of the Year.

He will now go on to compete against the eight other regional winners at the national Apprentice of the Year competition in Wellington on October 25 and 26.

Second place in the Southern region’s competition went to Tuhi Mueller, 25, of Dunedin, employed by Custom Built Homes Ltd in Mosgiel, while third place went to Mark Anderson, 26, of Dunedin, employed by Robinson Grellet Building Ltd.

RMBF Chief Executive Warwick Quinn says it is pleasing to have another group of fantastic carpentry apprentices across the country standing up and putting themselves out there to be judged against their peers in the Apprentice of the Year competition.

“These young folk demonstrate the excellent skills and high level of professionalism coming through New Zealand’s construction sector. It is also great that our builders are supporting those apprentices that want to get involved and are clearly proud of their significant contribution to the future of our industry,” Mr Quinn says.

Paul Bull, Chief Executive of Carters, says the Apprentice of the Year competition is in line with Carters’ desire to recognise professionalism within the construction sector.

“The building industry has entered a new era in terms of compliance, and the apprentices coming through the industry will be operating in an environment of increased professionalism,” Mr Bull says.

“It is important for Carters to offer our customers ways in which to keep up to speed and develop their skills, and supporting Apprentice of the Year is one of the ways we can help.”

The awards evening, held at Mercure Hotel in Dunedin on Thursday, 13 September, was well attended with guests including apprentices’ family, friends, colleagues and industry representatives.

For further information, visit www.apprenticeoftheyear.co.nz. Apprentices, employers and those young people aspiring to be a part of the construction industry are also encouraged to join up to the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/apprenticeoftheyear.

The Apprentice of the Year competition is made possible thanks to principal sponsor Carters, the Registered Master Builders Federation, the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO), and supporting sponsor the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.