NEXT GENERATION —
A word from the winner The NZCB Apprentice Challenge 2018. It’s a very apt name – what a challenge it is! To win your regional competition building a turreted castle playhouse, drawbridge included, was hard enough, but it’s really just the beginning. A brief of requirements and a deadline hits your inbox, and the penny drops, there’s a lot of work ahead! A cover letter, a cv, a portfolio of work, and a five-minute presentation that will be delivered to the NZCB Annual Conference & Expo delegates must all be submitted by deadline – more than a few steps apart from the tools, dust and building of our day-to-day. The finals field of 18 region-topping apprentices all passed this daunting bar to gain entry to the final so, no matter what happened, there were certainly no losers in this collection of men. I’m humbled and proud that in the midst of this great group of fellow apprentices I managed to pull through and take home to Northland, the Ken Read Memorial Trophy. At a time when anecdotally builders are struggling to find good (qualified) carpenters to cover the workload, I had been surrounded by our top future carpenters.
To the builders reading this I humbly offer my version of an approach to the shortage – take on apprentices; treat them well, get them in the game, season them, show them the plans early on the job, pay them well and make them earn it, give raises regularly as they Northern Advoca te, Whangarei Nor thland May 2018 season and grow in skill. Foster their aspirations30and General News, pag e - 89.00 cm² ambition, and we might just find that word getsProv out what 610,9 incial - circulation 68 (MTWTFS-) an apprenticeship is really worth – easily as valuable ID 961343617 BRIEF CERTBU ILDE (or more) as a degree, and a pathway anyone can INDEX 1 be proud to be on. PMCA licensed copy further copy, repro . You may not duce, record, retransmit, sell, publi share or store this sh, distribute, without the prior information written consent of the Print Media Copy Phone +64-4-4984 right Agency. info@pmca.co.n 487 or email z for further information.
To future apprentices – show a strong work ethic, a hunger to learn and to excel at your chosen career. The more attention focused on listening, watching, and absorbing the techniques and attitudes of the experienced carpenters on site, the better. Stay humble, pay attention to the details, and above all enjoy it, we’re supremely lucky to be in this trade! Matt Hatchard Winner NZCB Apprentice Challenge 2018
Northern Advocate, Whangarei Northland, 30 May 2018.
A page from Matt’s outstanding portfolio of work.
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Building apprentice nails top title Russell man Mat t been crowned the Hatchard has building apprent country’s top ning the New Zeaice after winBuilders (NZCB)land Certified Apprentice Challenge. Hatchard, 36, third year with who is in his Fox Build, took out the title from 18 others from across the cou ntry who won their regional competitio ns last month. Matt Hatchard The fina l was held at the NZCB annual conference in Rotorua over the weekend. Finalists were judged on examples of their work, dedication towards their app and a presentation renticeship, than 700 NZCB memto the more attending the con ber builders ference. Robert Piutau, land was second,33, from Auckand Thomas Ashley, 25, from Nels NZCB CEO Gra on third. said a record num nt Florence ber of entries meant this year’s highly competitivechallenge was ists had impress , and all finalive skills. As well as the from winning the recognition competition, Hatchard heads prize pack valued home with a apprentice challenat $20,000. The association with ge is held in Training Associa the Industry tion Building.
