Morrinsville business scoops apprentice awards

Morrinsville business scoops apprentice awards

Morrinsville Plumbing & Gas Services scored a hat trick of apprentice awards at the 2017 Waikato Master Plumbers Awards, held at Hamilton’s Wintec Atrium on Friday 15 September.

Jarrod Spearpoint won Year 1, Kaleb Reeve Year 2 and Mike Judd Year 3. All three are completing their apprenticeships through the Masterlink apprentice training scheme.

Morrinsville Plumbing & Gas Services Managing Director Dave Strong says Jarrod Spearpoint’s keenness to learn makes him a stand out apprentice. He has improved in leaps and bounds to become a valued member of the team, says Dave.

Kaleb Reeve was chosen by his Wintec tutors to enter the regional World Skills NZ competition. He went on to represent Waikato in the national competition, which highlights on-the-job excellence by testing key skills.

Dave is rightly proud of Kaleb’s achievements, saying he’s a conscientious worker who always gives his best. "Kaleb has the ‘X Factor’, which will make him an outstanding plumber and gasfitter."

Mike Judd always aims for excellence, and Dave sees him becoming a business owner in his own right one day. Mike came to plumbing as an adult apprentice having decided to change careers - and he thanks his wife for encouraging him to enter the trade.

He was also nominated for the Wintec Apprentice of the Year Award and went on to win the 2017 Best All Round Masterlink Apprentice award.

Dave puts the success of his apprentices down to setting very clear expectations and challenging them to work things out for themselves.

He admits he expects a lot of them - sometimes pushing them outside their comfort zones - but excellent support is always at hand.

As Deputy Chairman on the Board of Master Plumbers, Gasfitters & Drainlayers NZ, Dave Strong says it is great to see the Waikato Association running its own awards ceremony to recognise the achievements of local plumbing companies, their staff and apprentices.

ENDS

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