Camaraderie and close competition at this year’s NZCB Apprentice Challenge

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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.)

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.

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

professionalism of submitted work, the passion and effort shown in the speeches, and confidence shown in the interview.

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.

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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NZCB Apprentice Challenge 2018 winners. From left: Second place – Robert Piutau; Winner – Matt Hatchard; Third place – Thomas Ashley.

This year’s apprentices had diverse backgrounds with ranging experience and ability.

For the first time in Apprentice Challenge history, the third place winner also took home the Chairman’s Personality Award. Worthy recipient Thomas Ashley (26), an ITAB apprentice enrolled with NMIT, received a combined prize package of $6,000 – thanks to Paslode and Winstone Wallboards.

What was involved in getting to the top?

In preparation for the national final, each apprentice submitted a cover letter and CV introducing themselves to the judges, plus a portfolio of work completed during their apprenticeship. The deadline for this was two weeks before the national final, giving the judges plenty of homework in May! Each finalist was also asked to prepare a five-minute speech on a construction task of their choice, which was presented to delegates at the 20 th Annual NZCB conference and expo.

The final component of the Apprentice Challenge was the formal interview. Judges quiz the finalists on aspects of their work portfolio, ask industry-related questions, and uncover their hopes and dreams for the future.

Big thanks

Thanks to supporting sponsors Mitre 10 Trade, Sika, Hilti, FXD Workwear, Noel Leeming Commercial, ITAB and the AST Trust, who donate prizes to the Apprentice Challenge every year, ensuring no finalist goes home empty handed.

On behalf of NZCB members and our 2018 judging panel, I congratulate all eighteen finalists on a job well done! Shane Ririnui and I enjoyed your company and good humour, and we wish each of you the very best for the duration of your apprenticeship and future building careers.

Nick Matthews

Business Development Manager – South Island