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THE LATEST NEWS ROUND-UP FROM MASTERLINK INCLUDES THE 2021 WINNERS AT THE NZ PLUMBING AWARDS! Our Plumbing World Scholarship winners

Congratulations to all three of our Masterlink apprentices to win Plumbing World Scholarships at the 2021 NZ Plumbing Awards Night in late March.

Ollie Tabak started his plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying apprenticeship in 2019, when he was just 19 and for the past 12 months has been working on a large-scale retirement home. His host employer, Clyne and Bennie says he’s always consistent, reliable and brings a positive attitude to all his jobs.

Matt Bird is dependable, proactive, positive, efficient and really cares about the client, says host company Hunter Plumbing & Drainage. Following a very tough upbringing, Matt turned his life around when he started his own family. In working towards a plumbing and drainlaying qualification, he conducts himself in a way that gains respect from clients, workmates and associates.

Vinny Roth is in the final year of his plumbing and gasfitting apprenticeship. He originally came to EG Glennie as a casual labourer, but his hard work and reliability led them to offer him an apprenticeship. He is a well-liked and respected part of the business—always ready to lend a hand to his team mates.

Each receives a $1,000 credit to spend at their local Plumbing World branch. As overall winner, Ollie Tabak also won an NZ Plumbing Conference & Awards Night package, including flights and accommodation.

Masterlink apprentice Plumbing World Scholarship winners (from left) Ollie Tabak, Matt Bird and Vinny Roth with Plumbing World GM Rob Kidd and Master Plumbers Board Chairman Craig Foley.

Ryan Chalmers at the $2,000 Greens Tapware Scholarship presentation.

WELL DONE, RYAN!

Thanks to a $2,000 Greens Tapware Scholarship, Masterlink apprentice Ryan Chalmers is off to a flying start with his plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying apprenticeship. Ryan is the very first to be awarded this new scholarship, which is open to apprentices within their first three months of employment by Masterlink or a Master Plumbers member business. Ryan is hosted by Matthews Plumbing & Gasfitting in Auckland. Read more about his scholarship win on page 78.

JAMES DOUGLAS MEDALLION SUCCESS

At Masterlink, we’re mighty proud that two of the three James Douglas Medallion finalists completed their apprenticeships through Masterlink.

This award is presented each year to outstanding newly qualified tradespeople, with three finalists selected from the trades of plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying. The overall winner, chosen from the three finalists, receives a $500 cash prize along with a Career Development Scholarship worth $2,500 from The Skills Organisation.

Newly qualified Masterlink apprentice Paddy Sweeney was selected as one of two Plumbing Finalists, whilst Alan Wharton of Flints Plumbing & Drainage in Queenstown is the Gasfitting Finalist and overall James Douglas Medallion winner.

Congratulations both!

James Douglas Medallion overall winner Alan Wharton of Queenstown-based Flints Plumbing & Drainage with his partner Sarah Robertson.

Get to know our Regional Managers

COLIN KILPATRICK AUCKLAND REGIONAL MANAGER

A qualified electrician by training, Masterlink Auckland Regional Manager Colin Kilpatrick has over 40 years’ experience in business, people and area management, and customer service. He says his business career has been built on engaging with people from all walks of life, listening to their needs, developing solutions and delivering a better than expected result.

“I totally believe in the apprenticeship system of training and have genuine empathy for the work ethic required in an apprentice,” says Colin. “I understand the sacrifice and discipline needed by both parties to see the partnership through to a completed high-quality qualification.”

Colin says he brings a goal-oriented approach to the apprenticeship experience for both the apprentice and the employer. “This includes seeking out viable apprenticeship placement opportunities, matching host businesses to suitable candidates and above all mentoring both parties through to a mutually beneficial and rewarding working relationship via regular, focused liaison, consultation and support.”

Auckland RM Colin Kilpatrick’s hosts and apprentices testify that he’s always willing to go the extra mile to help out.

APPRENTICE TOOL INSURANCE OFFER

Are your tools covered against theft, accidental loss (including fire) and accidental damage? Crombie Lockwood has a special insurance deal for Masterlink apprentices through Master Plumbers Insurance. Get $5,000 of cover (including cover in vehicles) with $250 excess—all for an annual payment of $355 inc GST. That’s less than $7 a week. There is also the option to extend the cover to $10,000 for an annual charge of $710 inc GST.

Contact the Crombie Lockwood team to discuss your needs on 0800 866 766; masterplumbers@mhib.co.nz

GET IN TOUCH

Need an apprentice in your business? Masterlink Regional Managers are here to help.

Colin Kilpatrick Auckland 021 773 296

Russell Walsh Central North Island 027 600 9929

Bob McCoy Lower North Island 027 479 0075

Sam Timlin Upper South Island 021 433 615 Brendan Parker Lower South Island 021 644 560

Masterlink milestones

WELCOME

A warm welcome to new Masterlink apprentices: ■ Ryan Chalmers – Matthews Plumbing and Gasfitting, Auckland ■ Jason Bennett – Kumeu Plumbing, Auckland ■ Samisoni Alatini – BDK Drainage, Auckland ■ Brendan Wood – Plumbing & Gas Works, Hamilton ■ Daniel Eskrick – Pipe Masters, Mount Maunganui ■ Tuawhenua Downes – Laser Plumbing Te Puke ■ Wesley Ridgway – Laser Plumbing Te Puke ■ Fergus Conley – Laser Plumbing New Plymouth ■ Kai Gurton – Laser Plumbing Whanganui ■ Brian Melville-Grace – Laser Plumbing Manawatu, Palmerston North ■ Jason Van Der Vegt – Kiwi Plumbing & Gasfitting Services, Upper Hutt ■ Jedric Haymes – Plumbing Services Nelson ■ Daniel Wells – Rangiora Plumbing, Rangiora ■ Devyn Aldridge – Central Heating and Plumbing Systems, Christchurch ■ Mackay Caulfield – R & R Plumbing and Gas, Wanaka ■ Finlay Nolet – Hardy Plumbing, Wanaka ■ Roche Boshoff – HiFlo Plumbing and Gas, Oamaru ■ Zackary Stalker – Plumbline Plumbing & Gas, Dunedin ■ Jacobus Van Niekirk – Goodman Plumbing, Winton

Samson Alatini (second from left) has just joined fellow Masterlink apprentices Ken Gao (left) and Stewart Tu’i (second from right) at BDK Drainage in Auckland. They’re shown here with supervisor Nasser (centre) and company owner Di Li (right).

New plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying apprentice Jason Bennett is a qualified blocklayer and recently changed direction to learn what he calls a more varied and challenging trade. Jason is shown here with host Darryl McDonald of Kumeu Plumbing, who have been training apprentices for almost 50 years.

QUALIFIED!

Congratulations to all newly qualified Masterlink apprentices and a big thanks to their host businesses!

PLUMBING & GASFITTING

■ John Chalken ■ Matiu Patuwai ■ David Hodgson

PLUMBING

■ Rueben Allen

Bennett

GASFITTING

■ Matthew Neale ■ Jack Powell

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