Ryan Keogh accepts the Apprentice of the Year award in
Wellington on Saturday. Photo supplied.
High pressure and timed construction challenges failed to
faze Dunedin builder Ryan Keogh and helped him to secure the
apprentice of the year title this weekend.
Mr Keogh (22) was named the Registered Master Builders' 2011
Apprentice of the Year in Wellington on Saturday night after
competing alongside 10 national finalists.
"I'm absolutely honoured. It was a great privilege to take
out the title."
The practical assessments on Saturday morning were akin to "a
Chef Ramsay-type show", he said.
"It was unique. I haven't been in such a high-speed situation
before. It was exciting."
The judges said Mr Keogh, employed by Naylor Love
Construction Ltd in Dunedin and trained by the Building and
Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO),
performed consistently across the competition and was
passionate about building.
"Ryan is strong in his health and safety knowledge, and his
workmanship is very good.
"Ryan said he would rather take his time and get things
right, and that showed through in his performance in the
competition's practical component," they said.
Mr Keogh, who was a supervisor on his work site, was studying
for his diploma in construction management and planning to
continue advancing and learning from his senior managers.
Second place went to Matt Saathof (21), of Hastings, with Tom
Storey (22), of Ohope, third.
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