Top building apprentice in Upper South Island region announced

Blenheim carpentry apprentice Daniel Crockett has been named the Upper South Island Region Registered Master Builders Carters 2012 Apprentice of the Year.

The 22 year old, employed by Haack Construction and trained by the BCITO, impressed competition judges who say Daniel has a wide range of knowledge at this stage of his building apprenticeship.

“Daniel has a great understanding of the complex project he has submitted including a good understanding for technical drawings and an eye for detail. He displays a high level of passion and is a well rounded person who will add value to the industry in the future.”

“Daniel has demonstrated the ability to take on responsibility and his employers have described him as an asset to their company,” judges say.

As part of the entry process, each apprentice was asked to submit the project that they were most proud of. Daniel presented judges with his work on a total rebuild of an existing house in Marlborough, perched on a sloping hill overlooking the Wairau River.

Daniel’s employer, Managing Director Jon Haack of Haack Construction Ltd, says Daniel came across as a winner from the very first time they met.

“Dan is achieving everything he strives for. He works hard to get the best results and has a clear understanding of what is expected of him. He has a good eye for detail which is essential in our industry today,” Mr Haack says.

“He understands the need for regulatory compliance, the requirement to perform daily to a high standard, and to be commercially viable whilst doing so.”

“If I am out on business or socially and Dan’s name comes up, I am quick to claim him as my top man,” he says.

Daniel 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 Upper South Island 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 went to Ryan Thurlow, 22, of Nelson, employed by Barnett Construction Ltd, while third place went to Dale Stacey, 22, of Nelson, employed by C F Building Limited.

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 Giesen Sports and Events Centre in Blenheim 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.