Apprentice of the Year 2014

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Registered Master Builders Carters 2014 Apprentice of the Year, Tom Southen.

Registered Master Builders Carters 2014 Apprentice of the Year, Tom Southen. Image: Supplied

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The completed playhouses were donated to a charity of the finalists' choice.

The completed playhouses were donated to a charity of the finalists’ choice. Image: Supplied

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National place-getters (from left): Ryan Smith-Pilling (third place); Tom Southen, (first place); Kyran Vaniperen (second place).

National place-getters (from left): Ryan Smith-Pilling (third place); Tom Southen, (first place); Kyran Vaniperen (second place). Image: Supplied

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Apprentice of the Year 2014 national finalists.

Apprentice of the Year 2014 national finalists. Image: Supplied

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Christchurch carpentry apprentice Tom Southen was named the Registered Master Builders Carters 2014 Apprentice of the Year at a gala evening on Friday 17 October following a practical test in Auckland which saw each apprentice building a children’s playhouse for charity.

The 23-year-old winner, employed by Farmbuild and trained through the BCITO, completed a playhouse which will now be gifted to Life Education Trust Counties Manukau. Southen has won a suite of prizes including an Apple iPad, a Carters Business Tools Grant towards furthering his career valued at $5,000, a tool and safety gear pack worth $1,000 and the use of a Ford Ranger XLT vehicle for the duration of his reign as Apprentice of the Year.

Kyran Vaniperen, 25, employed by Coastal Homes in Coopers Beach, Northland and trained through the BCITO was placed second in the competition, while Ryan Smith-Pilling of Palmerston North, 21, employed by Nailing It in Feilding and trained through BCITO was third.

The nine finalists from up and down the country were put through their paces over the two days of the national competition, each undergoing a 45-minute interview with the judging panel, followed by the practical judging component in front of family, colleagues, friends, and the public.

Registered Master Builders Chief Executive Brendon Ward says he was thrilled to see over 130 young people stepping up to compete in the Apprentice of the Year competition this year.

“The employers must also be applauded for the role they play in the training and development of their apprentices,” he says.

Registered Master Builders Carters 2014 Apprentice of the Year national finalists:

  • Kyran Vaniperen, 25, from Mangonui, employed by Coastal Homes and trained through the BCITO. His playhouse will be donated to Papakura Franklin Blue Light Ventures Inc.
  • Cody Webby, 20, from Pakuranga, employed by Licensed Renovations and trained through the BCITO. His playhouse will be donated to Titirangi Playcentre.
  • Matthew Frost, 22, from Matamata, employed by Gudsell Designer Homes and trained through the BCITO. His playhouse will be donated to West Auckland Parents Centre.
  • William Ellis, 24, from Hastings, employed by Redmond Builders and Construction and trained through the BCITO. His playhouse will be donated to KidsCan Charitable Trust.
  • Ryan Smith-Pilling, 21, from Palmerston North, employed by Nailing It and trained through the BCITO. His playhouse will be donated to Morningside Playcentre.
  • Ryan Lake, 21, from Wellington, employed by Peter Camp Builders and trained through the BCITO. His playhouse will be donated to Life Education Trust Waitakere.
  • Jesse Walker, 22, from Nelson, employed by Coman Construction and trained through the BCITO. His playhouse will be donated to Pukekohe High School Childcare Centre.
  • Tom Southen, 23, from Christchurch, employed by Farmbuild and trained through the BCITO. His playhouse will be donated to Life Education Trust Manukau.
  • David Gare, 24, from Invercargill, employed by Barry Stewart Builders and trained through the BCITO. His playhouse will be donated to Village Community Services Trust.

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