Jack Nevines, from Golflands, is this year’s winner of the 2023 Registered Master Builders Carters Apprentice of the Year for the Auckland region.
Nevines, who attended Pakuranga College, is ecstatic winning the regionals after a podium finish a year ago.
“There was a lot of pressure from doing it last year when I finished third,” Nevines said.
“It was a great experience and winning just makes it worthwhile.”
The 23-year-old works for celebrated award-winning Howick building firm Faulkner Construction which regularly wins House of the Year categories, the most recent of which was the Supreme Renovation of the Year award [Auckland / Northland / Coromandel region] for its build in Freemans Bay, announced last month.
That home was also awarded the Pink Batts Craftsmanship Award, Renovation Over $1.5 million category and a gold award.
Nevines has been employed by Faulkner Construction by Faulkner Construction, and trained through BCITO – Te Pūkenga, for four years and credits his craftsmanship to his apprenticeship with the company.
“I don’t think I could be in another career. It’s been fantastic and very rewarding to complete high-quality work for a well-known building company in the Auckland region.”
The judges said Jack’s application was close to perfection and they had never before seen such an in-depth and detailed submission.
“During his site visit he discussed his entry and was able to clearly articulate the development and progression of the build over the last 12 months,” the judges said.
“He had a faultless interview and did an excellent job in the practical challenge. Jack has excelled in every aspect of this competition and is one of the strongest apprentices the judges have seen during their time.”
Now in its 20th year, the Apprentice of the Year competition recognises excellence among carpentry apprentices and raises awareness of career opportunities in the building and construction industry.
The competition tests future sector leaders’ project management, business, presentation, and practical skills.
For the regional competition, each apprentice had to submit details of a building project they are working on as well as take part in a two-hour practical challenge where they were tasked with building a foot stool.
The top 10 participants from each region then progressed to an interview stage with a judging panel and an onsite visit to discuss their building project in detail.
Second place was awarded to Matthew Cui from Waiheke Island. Cui is employed by Dash Build.
In third place was Sam Graham from Auckland, employed by Concpt Construction.
The top apprentice from each region will go on to compete in the national competition in Auckland.
This includes a 45-minute interview with the national judging panel and an additional six-hour practical skills test, followed by the National Awards Dinner where the winner will be announced.
