BCITO Flooring Apprentice of the year 2015
The BCITO Flooring Apprentice of the Year Awards, held in Christchurch on Tuesday, 16 July, aims to recognise exceptional performance by tradespeople in the flooring industry
Coromandel flooring apprentice Stafford Moody of Fagans’ NZ Ltd from Whitianga won the Supreme Apprentice of the Year Award as well as being named BCITO Stage Three Flooring Apprentice of the Year.
Stafford, who is now fully qualified, is employed by Fagans’ NZ Limited. As part of his BCITO apprenticeship, Stafford worked as a flooring installer and participated in off-job training at the Allied Trades Institute in Christchurch. The award was based on his performance undertaking a range of tasks at the Institute.
Principal Tutor at the Allied Trades Institute (NZ Flooring School), Jeff Henry, said –
“Stafford was well prepared for the course. Even in his second year, there were occasions when Stafford would stay behind after the course to practice mitres and welding”. “He worked tirelessly to hone his finishing skills and always showed good logic with his decisions. Stafford has extremely high expectations and consequently all his tasks were consistently completed to a very high standard.”
Stafford was “stoked” when he was named the Stage Three Flooring Apprentice of the Year.
“It was a bit unexpected. There were two other classes and so you never know who is there and how good they are, but I’m very happy with it.”
Other award winners recognised at the event were:
BCITO Stage One Flooring Apprentice of the Year – Nathan Weston of Hays Carpet Laying, Hawkes Bay.
BCITO Stage Two Flooring Apprentice of the Year – Richard Blomfield of Van Dyk Installations, Putaruru.
BCITO Flooring Planning and Design Trainee of the Year – Paul Williams of The Flooring Centre, Riccarton, Christchurch.
Villars Trophy – a special recognition award for outstanding commitment and dedication – Benjamin Meister of James Henry Joinery & Flooring, Upper Hutt.
(left to right) Paul Williams, Ben Meister, Ruma Karaitiana, (Chief Executive, BCITO), Stafford Moody, Nathan Weston, Richard Blomfield
BCITO chief executive Ruma Karaitiana says the Flooring Apprentice of the Year is a great way of encouraging best practice among tradespeople.
“We are right behind initiatives that provide a benchmark for tradespeople and challenge apprentices to stand out from their peers and really put their skills to the test. The Flooring Apprentice Awards allow trainees to gain recognition in the industry. “There’s currently a massive demand for professional tradespeople in New Zealand, so we want to encourage more people to come and train to be part of this growing industry.”
The BCITO Flooring Apprentice of the Year Awards evening is the biggest annual get together of the flooring industry in New Zealand.
Guest speaker on the night was Dale Williams ONZM, former leader of the NZ Mayors Taskforce for Jobs. Dale enthralled the crowd of over 200 attendees with his own story of his journey through life and achievements which have all occurred because he originally gained a qualification in a field that he is passionate about.
Congratulations to all of these BCITO high-achievers!
BCITO Apprentice of the year awards is made possible by support of industry sponsors:
Techspan Group have supported the awards for several years now, providing the Supreme Award to the Supreme Apprentice of the year – a Techspan Premium Vinyl Flooring Welding Kit.
Techspan also donated over $10,000 worth of Vinyl Welding equipment to the Christchurch based Allied Trades Institute (NZ Flooring School).
