A word from one of our judges

With the 2022 NZCB Conference and Expo now completed, I’ve been reflecting on the NZCB Apprentice Challenge (NZCBAC) and how it has evolved over the years.

There was a time when the apprentices would do their thing at the NZCB Conference and Expo, but very much in a side-line capacity, including the awards ceremony being in a back room somewhere while the main event continued. The introduction of the current format around 2014 has not only enhanced the profile of the NZCBAC, but also confirmed the importance of current and future apprentices in the NZCB family.

I have had the privilege of being a judge for several years now and, as I hand that baton to someone else for 2023, I’ve looked back at the process by which we determined national winners, and where they are now. The mix of events the apprentices undergo has provided the judges with some insights into not only the apprentice as a tradie, but also the person too. Every year we’ve seen some special characters emerge and have taken confidence that the future of the industry is in good shape.

It is also really good to see past winners now playing leading roles in NZCB and the industry, including as NZCB Business members, regional Presidents, on the judging panel, and now an Apprentice member on the Industry Training Association Building (ITAB) Board.

I spent the best part of two days with fellow judges, listening to the aspirations of the finalists, getting some insights into what it is about this dynamic industry that excites them, as well as sharing a few lighter moments.

This year the calibre of apprentices was extremely high, with just 1.1% scoring separation between the top three competitors. Congratulations to all those who took part in this event; you did yourselves, your bosses, and your industry proud.

ITAB Board Chairman