Top achievers celebrated at Flooring Apprentice Awards

Last night the best performing apprentices in New Zealand’s flooring industry were recognised at the annual Flooring Apprentice of the Year Awards in Christchurch.

The event, held by the Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation in conjunction with the National Flooring Association, honours excellence and dedication towards training.

The awards are the largest annual get together of the flooring industry in New Zealand. “This celebration provides a fantastic opportunity for our top performing trainees to be celebrated by their peers,” says BCITO Chief Executive Warwick Quinn.

“All award recipients have demonstrated passionate and professional attitudes and the desire to go the extra mile during their training. It is only fitting that we recognise their contribution,” says Quinn.
“All this year’s winners are strong role models for those who may be considering an apprenticeship in the flooring industry.”

There has never been a better time to consider a career in the trades, says Quinn.

“New Zealand is in the midst of a skills shortage and the construction and building sector desperately needs more recruits. This pressure it set to continue so anyone considering a career in the trades can be confident they are making an excellent choice,” says Quinn.

The award recipients were selected based on the achievement and skills they displayed at their respective block courses. The 2017 top achieving flooring apprentices are:

AwardRecipient

Stage 1 – Flooring Apprentice of the YearZac Lange, Palmerston North

Stage 2 – Flooring Apprentice of the YearDavid McEwen, Whangarei

Supreme Apprentice of the Year + Stage 3 – Flooring Apprentice of the YearNicholas Poultney, Christchurch

Villars TrophyHoani Te Rauna, Auckland

Flooring Planning & Design Trainee of the YearTania Parkes, Papamoa
The event is only able to be held because of the generosity of sponsors. This year’s sponsors are: Carr Group, Cavalier Bremworth & Norman Ellison Carpets, Dunlop Flooring, FloorNZ, Gilt Edge Industries, Handley Industries, Karndean International NZ, Look Floors, Robert Malcolm Ltd, Sleepyhead Manufacturing, and Techspan Group.