NEXT GENERATION —
Camaraderie and close competition at this year’s NZCB Apprentice Challenge Great weather, flights playing ball and a mutual love of building made for a memorable national final of the 2018 NZCB Apprentice Challenge held in Rotorua from 25–26 May. Eighteen of the 19 finalists put their best foot forward, representing their regions with pride. (Hawke’s Bay’s Scott Baillie was unable to attend due to family reasons.)
professionalism of submitted work, the passion and effort shown in the speeches, and confidence shown in the interview.
This year’s apprentices had diverse backgrounds with ranging experience and ability, yet everyone shared a mutual bond and respect, quickly becoming teammates rather than competitors.
Congratulations to Northland’s Matt Hatchard (36) who won the Challenge and the Ken Read Memorial Trophy. Matt is an ITAB apprentice enrolled with NorthTec. He received a $15,000 prize package thanks to PlaceMakers, the first-place category sponsor. Matt took home trade quality tools, travel and clothing vouchers, technology items, merchandise and branded clothing.
With $65,000 in prizes up for grabs, the competition was described by judges Brian Dillon, Philip Woolf and Peter Taylor, as “tight, with just a handful of marks separating the top three”.
And the winners are… The judging panel took its time discussing which apprentices had shone through, commenting on the
Second place went to Auckland’s Robert Piutau (33), an ITAB apprentice enrolled with Unitec. Robert’s prizes included trade quality tools and technology items valued at approximately $6,000, thanks to category sponsor ITM and other industry sponsors.
The 18 exceptional 2018 Apprentice Challenge Finalists and Business Development Managers, Nick Matthews (left) and Shane Ririnui (right).
Thanks to the principle sponsors of the 2018 NZCB Apprentice Challenge
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