Apprentice Challenge bench seat finds special home

AROUND THE REGIONS —

Barbara MacGregor NZCB Auckland President

Apprentice Challenge bench AUCKLAND seat finds special home

Ever wonder where the creations from the New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB) Apprentice Challenge Sponsored by ITM finish up? We’re here to shed some light on the location of one of them!

The Auckland regional challenge was held at the Unitec Campus in Mount Albert as part of the nationwide event. Six carpentry apprentices from across the Auckland region bravely entered the competition, challenging themselves to complete a bench seat, as per the plans, in the eight-hour allotted time.

After a few tricky cuts and joins, Cam Schache, from MyHome Renovations Limited, took the top prize. Reece Martin, employed by Clearwater Construction Limited and Jacob Lane, from MJC Construction Limited finished in second and third respectively.

Cam will represent the Auckland region at the national finals during the NZCB National Conference and Expo in Hamilton in November. He will compete against 18 other apprentices for the Ken Read Memorial Trophy. The Auckland Committee wishes him all the very best and would like to take the opportunity to salute all the apprentices and their dedicated employers! A special mention and thank you goes to Auckland Committee member, Clement Richer (2016 NZCB Apprentice Challenge winner) for his efforts and dedication in assisting NZCB Apprentice Challenge Manager Nick Matthews, with the smooth running of the Auckland event.

The NZCB Auckland Committee found a special home for one of the bench seats built during this year’s Apprentice Challenge. Take a walk along the Burswood walking and cycling trail in East Auckland, part of the planned East to West trail, and you’ll find a new bench seat next to the stream. There have been many positive comments about its arrival and the locals very impressed with the quality of the bench. It’s great to know the bench seat will be used by the community for many years to come!

Six carpentry apprentices from across the Auckland region bravely entered the competition, challenging themselves to complete a bench seat, as per the plans, in the eight-hour allotted time.

From left to right: MP Ricardo Menedez, MP Melissa Lee, NZCB Auckland Committee member and judge Murray Hickson, NZCB Auckland Committee member Clement Richer, NZCB Auckland Committee member and judge Peter Headland, NZCB Committee member and judge Grant Boylan, MP Brooke Van Velden, NZCB Auckland President Barbara MacGregor. In front on bench seat from left to right: third place getter Jacob Lane, winner Cam Schache and second place getter Reece Martin.