Every year, the Master Builders Association of NSW recognises outstanding contributions to the building and construction industry with the Excellence in Construction Awards.
We are delighted that two of our Master Builders Carpentry apprentices have been nominated for the 2023 Apprentice of the Year awards by their Host Employers.
Recently completed Carpentry apprentice Tiaa George has been nominated by Rintoul Pty Ltd. And 2nd year adult Carpentry apprentice David Skennerton has been nominated by Ideal Building Pty Ltd.
These award nominations present a golden opportunity to honour these two apprentices who epitomise the pursuit of excellence in their chosen trades. The nominations are a recognition of the skill, commitment, and dedication they have displayed throughout their apprenticeship.
David is an adult Carpentry apprentice who started with 5 years of electrical trade assistant experience. According to Ben Crocker, Director of Ideal Building Pty Ltd, “He is the best apprentice that I’ve ever had. He’s an absolute asset to my business”.
Ben continues, “I have total trust and confidence in David when dealing with any trade on site. David is always extremely well presented; he wears his uniform every day and takes pride in his appearance and understands that it is a reflection on Ideal Building and the quality and image that we want to present as a business.”
With the maturity and ability to learn quickly, David is a quality Master Builders apprentice. Most importantly he works with the utmost care, precision, and attention to detail.
David has been working on residential first-floor additions, new home constructions as well as architectural renovations. In his role, David has been able to develop an understanding of getting each stage of the building process right before moving on to the next to eliminate potential snowballing issues.
Ben admits he is a stickler for attention to detail and is himself a two-time MBA award winner. “I would normally only start to teach a 3rd or 4th-year apprentice roof framing, Colourbond sheeting, and guttering as it falls in the Roof Plumbing trade, not Carpentry. However, it’s a valuable skill to have and David’s willingness to learn gave me the confidence to train him in this area”, says Ben.
In David’s spare time, he enjoys camping trips, rock climbing, and mountain biking with his mates. “These types of activities involve teamwork, logical thought processes, and adhering to safety guidelines and advice. David is most definitely a team player and his passions outside of work feed into what’s required to be exceptional in the building construction industry. I am pleased to nominate him and believe he deserves to win.” says Ben.
Tiaa George has demonstrated commitment and passion whilst completing her Carpentry apprenticeship with Rintoul Pty Ltd. So much so, in fact, that they wouldn’t let her go. She is now employed as a full-time, qualified Carpenter/Joiner with Rintoul Pty Ltd.
Since completing her Carpentry apprenticeship, she has been learning CAD software and drafting. She has learned new skills on the job and is drawing joinery units in full detail using CAD software to then produce the plans for jobs. Tiaa also programs so that she can send the instructions to the CNC router machines to assist in the manufacturing process. Tiaa is such a valuable member of the Rintoul team she has since taken the next step in her career and is now in the role of Set Out Drafter.
She is coming to the end of building a new headquarters for Rintoul and is about to start the fit-out for the University of NSW IASB (Integrated Acute Services Building) Hospital. “Tiaa has a great dedication to the workplace which is one of the reasons we wanted to make sure we could keep her on board,” says Isabella Velevska, Senior HR Coordinator Rintoul Pty Ltd. “She ensures the tasks are completed on time to meet deadlines, and when asked will happily work the additional hours to get the job done. She is a team player with clear communication skills liaising with site and factory staff to ensure smooth running of the job”.
Tiaa hadn’t originally planned to work in the building and construction industry but knew she didn’t want to be in an office job. “The best thing about my job is that it is so diverse. Every day I am able to learn so many different things with so many people supporting me and offering advice. Some days I may be drawing plans, or out on-site installing units, or on the factory floor machining and building jobs”.
Her advice to other females considering a career in construction is, “Just go for it with everything you’ve got, do your best work, and do it with pride. Four years of an apprenticeship fly by so quickly, so enjoy the job, the friends you make, and all the skills you will learn.”
For Tiaa being nominated for a Master Builders Apprentice of the Year Award is significant. “It means a lot to me to know that the people I work with acknowledge my hard work. It also shows that women can do anything. I really hope it encourages more females into the industry”.
Master Builders wishes Tiaa and David all the very best. We hope you are winners, as you are already winners in our eyes.
