The ITM New Zealand Certified Builders (NZCB) Apprentice Challenge Central Otago competition took place in Cromwell on Saturday, with six apprentices taking part.
The event is one of 20 regional finals happening nationwide.
One week prior to competition the apprentices, ranging from those only months on the tools to those in their third year, were given plans for a children’s play fort which they then had to build from scratch on Saturday.
Eight hours later, Wānaka-based Bayview Construction apprentice Craig Burke, originally from the UK, was crowned the winner.
Baily Reid, of Build It Central placed second, with Stefanie Panko of CBG Quality Construction coming in third.
Having never entered a challenge before, Mr Burke was surprised to take the top spot.
"It was really fun — nice to put myself out there and do something a little bit different, getting out of the comfort zone a wee bit."
He now goes on to represent Central Otago at the national finals in Christchurch next month.
The apprentice challenge was a way to build in to the future of the building industry, NZCB industry pathways and apprenticeships manager Nick Matthews said.
"Competitions like this are important because apprentices are the future of our industry, so we need to look after them, we need to foster them, they need to be encouraged to take up carpentry and building as a trade, but overall it’s really important they get exposure to events like this because it makes them well rounded."
He was pleased to see a high calibre of apprentices coming through, he said.
"A fantastic bunch of young people, really high standard. Great to see a couple of first year apprentices taking part — they’ll be all that much better for it next year when they come back and do it again."
