2020 Awards

We’ve cancelled our 2020 conference and design awards, but did proceed with our Apprentice awards. And the winners are:

Glass & Glazing Most Promising Apprentice:

Nathan Wiren (Metro Direct, Nelson)

Nathan has had the benefit of being involved in the manufacturing side of glass, and this gives him a better insight into the installation side of the industry. It has been a pleasure working with Nathan through his apprenticeship as he has always come very prepared for assessment visits. He documents his work well with photos and notes, and he is able to learn and describe the tasks to me clearly. He has grabbed the apprenticeship opportunity with both hands and is running with it, making it his own. He is doing tasks in the workshop, well beyond a first year apprentice. Nathan is a worth recipient of this award and I look forward to working with Nathan to see where his path takes him.  (TA- Grant Johnson)

Architectural Aluminium Joinery Most Promising Apprentice:

Simon Bennett (Altherm Taranaki)

Right from the beginning of his apprenticeship, Simon showed he was fully engaged and striving for success. He is very attentive in his work, asks lots of questions of his employer and with all his visits he is prepared accordingly. His documentation and evidence is always well organised and aligns with the specified criteria that he is currently working on. All discussions with his employer and factory manager have indicated his positive and friendly nature around the factory which makes his training very easy. Simon is a worthy winner of this award and I wish him well for the future. (TA- Graeme Fairclough)

Glass & Glazing Apprentice of the Year, Allan Sage Memorial Award:

Ethan Taylor (Viridian Glass, Nelson)

Ethan is a special guy and he will be a leader one day. From the time I got to know him, before he started his apprenticeship, he stood out as someone that would go places, and so far he hasn’t disappointed.  It was a no brainer to support his nomination for most improved apprentice in 2018, which he proceeded to win. Upon winning, his then CEO asked him his plans for the future and his answer was “I want your job”. At the time, although hilarious, we all knew it could be achieved. Since that award, Ethan has been to the leadership group at “Outward Bound”, has been in a live web feed answering questions about being an apprentice and he has sat on a panel in front of 300 BCITO members answering questions about his journey and how we can improve. When asked to do these things, his answer was “ yeah, I’ll do that, it will be a good experience”. He is currently studying papers at Massey and also completing a Supervisor qualification through the BCITO. At work he is currently running large construction projects and training his own apprentices. He is a very worthy winner and I believe we will be hearing more from Ethan in the future.  (TA- Grant Johnson)

Architectural Aluminium Joinery Apprentice of the Year:

Ariana Simmons (Fairview Whakatane)

I have always found Ariana very proactive and engaged toward achieving her goals and in turn achieving her qualification, she demonstrates sound knowledge along with great on site practical skills. She is actively engaged with what is happening in the factory and shows confidence in her own ability. Ariana has worked on some complex jobs from start to finish and has the confidence to take a leading role when required, she is able to give clear instructions, problem solve and work unsupervised to achieve the desired outcome. Ariana works in well with her team and company staff, subcontractors, suppliers and clients. Ariana has excelled in her industry and has now been given extra responsibilities by her employer in the business and has taken on this challenge to broaden her skill base, this is a testament to her skills/ability and commitment to pursue excellence in her industry. Ariana has a positive attitude and outlook for her future with a good work/life balance and I am sure she is going to have a very successful career in the industry. I congratulate Ariana on her achievement as apprentice of the year winner 2020 and wish her every success for her future.  (TA- Scott Braithwaite)